Green Synthesis and Characterization of Bi2O3 Nanorods as Catalyst for Aromatization of 1,4-Dihydropyridines

Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanorods was prepared via one pot sol-gel method using Bi(NO3)3.5H2O and starch (as template) in water under hydrothermal condition followed by calcination at 320˚C within 3 h. The resultant solid product was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TGA), and FTIR techniques. Based on the obtained results, the formation of Bi2O3 nanoparticles and nanorods at lower and higher percentage of starch is promising. It was found that Bi2O3 nanorods catalyse the aromatization of 1,4-dihydropyridines (DHPs) with 100% conversion and 100% selectivity.