LAUSR

An efficient, novel, and recyclable silica-supported copper-doped phosphotungstic acid (CuPTA/SiO2) has been synthesized by an impregnation method. The catalyst has been characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDX, ICP–AES, EPR, XPS, and NH3-TPD analyses. The catalytic application of the catalyst has been explored for Claisen–Schmidt condensation. The catalyst could be recycled for six runs without any appreciable loss in catalytic activity. The catalytic activity of the recovered catalyst after six runs was confirmed by FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDX, ICP–AES, and EPR analyses. The Claisen–Schmidt products were obtained in excellent yield in a shorter time period.