A simple and cost-effective method for the synthesis of strontium molybdate (SrMoO4) nanopowders and their application as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation.

Strontium molybdate nanopowders, SrMoO4, were synthesized by calcination of an oxalate complex at 700 °C. The oxalate precursor was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The synthesized strontium molybdate was subsequently analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (RS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The synthesized materials were evaluated for their catalytic performance in the Knoevenagel condensation of different aromatic aldehydes with malononitrile at room temperature, and the results were compared.