ZrO2 based nanostructures: A sustainable, economical, green and efficient organocatalyst

ZrO2 is a versatile heterogeneous catalyst due to its good stability, unique surface properties and by the existence of acidic/basic and oxidising/reducing properties. To explore the ZrO2 characteristics, numerous synthesis and modification strategies are employed. The present review covered the ZrO2 synthesis, characteristics, modifications and application in organic transformation. In the modifications, metal doping, non-metal doping and composites are discussed in detail. ZrO2 exists in the three crystalline structures depending upon the calcination temperature. This review focuses on the effect of temperature and various synthesis approaches to fabricate the ZrO2 with different crystalline structures. In heterogeneous catalysis, surface characteristics are primarily important, therefore, alteration in the surface features, especially morphology and surface area by varying synthesis parameters is also covered here. In the later part, a variety of organic reactions catalysed by ZrO2, effect of ZrO2 and its composite on the product yield and kinetics of organic reaction is explored in this review.