Novel Carbon-based solid-acid nanocatalyst (SCP-SO3
H) has been synthesized via
one-step hydrothermal carbonization and sulfonation of starch, citric acid, and p-toluenesulfonic
acid at 180 °C in a sealed autoclave. The novel nanocatalyst had an acidity of 6.4 mmol/g
which was characterized by IR, EDX, TEM, FESEM, and XRD analyses. The catalytic activity
of the carbonaceous material as an efficient and reusable catalyst was investigated by the
condensation reaction of ethyl acetoacetate, aldehyde and urea for the synthesis of
Dihydropyrimidinones. The condensation reaction was carried out under solvent-free conditions
at 100 °C to produced Dihydropyrimidinones in good to high yields. The mild conditions,
eco-friendly, excellent yields, short reaction times and using an inexpensive and reusable catalyst
are important features of this method.