Abstract: Several dual metal cyanide catalysts were prepared from potassium ferrocyanide, metal chloride (where metal = Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Fe²⁺), t-butanol (complexing agent) and PEG-4000 (co-complexing agent). The catalysts were characterized by elemental analysis (CHN and X-ray fluorescence), X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The dual metal cyanide catalysts were used in several acid catalyzed multi-component coupling reactions for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important organic derivatives. In all these reactions, the Fe-Fe containing dual metal cyanide catalyst was the best catalyst. The catalysts can be recycled without loss in catalytic activity. The advantage of this method is the use of mild, efficient and reusable catalysts for various reactions, which makes them candidates for commercial use.

Key words: dual metal cyanide, multi-component coupling reaction, acid catalyst