DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v25i4.49

Keywords: Fly ash-based hybrid materials; benzimidazole; benzoxazole derivatives

Abstract

Cost-effective mechanically and thermally activated fly ash catalysts were synthesized by doping boric acid (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 wt. %) in the presence of 0.5 M sulphuric acid by a co-precipitation method. The synthesized hybrid materials were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDS and NH3-TPD analyses. The catalytic active sites on the inert surface of fly ash were studied by synthesizing benzimidazole and benzoxazole derivatives. The optimal conditions for the highest product conversion were determined through the careful adjustment of variables such as the catalyst weight fraction, molar ratio of reactants, time and temperature. The catalyst containing 5 wt. % boric acid was found to be the most efficient and could be reused for up to four reaction cycles without loss of conversion efficiency. This study presents a potential green chemistry approach for utilizing industrial solid waste as a valuable resource.