Influence of solvent on morphological texture and catalytic activity of SnO2 nanoparticles

Tin dioxide (SnO2) nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesised via a direct (one-step) solvothermal route in the presence of ethanol as a solvent. The as-synthesised SnO2 is well characterised by various analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and BET surface area analyses. The powder X-ray diffraction study reveals that the synthesised oxide adopts orthorhombic SnO2 crystal structure. The transmission electron microscopic investigation shows the formation of nanoparticles with an average size of 6.44 nm. Moreover, the influence of the solvent on morphological and textural properties of as-synthesised SnO2 is also explained. Further, the as-synthesised SnO2 nanoparticles are employed for Friedel-Crafts benzoylation of anisole to produce 4-methoxybenzophenone. Various reaction parameters viz. effect of reaction temperature, effect of catalyst dosage, effect of solvation, and substrate ratio are also addressed for the acylation reaction. The SnO2 NPs exhibit high catalytic activity for the acylation reaction of anisole. They also show high stability for the benzoylation with good recyclability up to five consecutive cycles.