Natural Phosphate Doped by Potassium as Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of Chalcones by Claisen–Schmidt Condensation Reaction

Abstract

This research focuses on the development of a potassium-doped natural phosphate catalyst (K/NP) for the Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction. The study highlights the significant improvement in catalytic activity that results from doping natural phosphate with potassium. This improvement was performed using various structural, morphological, and spectral analysis methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy ((SEM-EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The optimum reaction conditions were also obtained, taking into account factors such as the type of catalyst, mass, choice of solvent, and reaction kinetics. The results show that potassium-doped natural phosphate (K/NP) is an effective catalyst for the Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction, with a remarkable 98% yield under specific conditions; in addition, the reusability of the catalyst was also studied, revealing its remarkable stability through multiple reaction cycles.