Recent developments on ultrasound assisted catalyst-free organic synthesis

Visualization of the Mechanical Wave Effect on Liquid Microphases and Its Application for the Tuning of Dissipative Soft Microreactors

The development of approaches for creation of adaptive and stimuli-responsive chemical systems is particularly important for chemistry, materials science, and biotechnology. The understanding of response mechanisms for various external forces is highly demanded for the rational design of task-specific systems. Here, we report direct liquid-phase scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of the high frequency sound-wave-driven restructuring of liquid media on the microlevel, leading to switching of its chemical behavior. We show that under the action of ultrasound, the microstructured ionic liquid/water mixture undergoes rearrangement resulting in formation of separated phases with specific compositions and reactivities. The observed effect was successfully utilized for creation of dissipative soft microreactors formed in ionic liquid/water media during the sonication-driven water transfer. The performance of the microreactors was demonstrated using the example of controlled synthesis of small and uniform gold and palladium nanoparticles. The microsonication stage, designed and used in the present study, opened unique opportunities for direct sonochemical studies with the use of electron microscopy.

Optimization of Nazarov Cyclization of 2,4-Dimethyl-1,5-diphenylpenta-1,4-dien-3-one in Deep Eutectic Solvents by a Design of Experiments Approach

The unprecedented Nazarov cyclization of a model divinyl ketone using phosphonium-based Deep Eutectic Solvents as sustainable non-innocent reaction media is described. A two-level full factorial Design of Experiments was conducted for elucidating the effect of the components of the eutectic mixture and optimizing the reaction conditions in terms of temperature, time, and substrate concentration. In the presence of the Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) triphenylmethylphosphonium bromide/ethylene glycol, it was possible to convert more than 80% of the 2,4-dimethyl-1,5-diphenylpenta-1,4-dien-3-one, with a specific conversion, into the cyclopentenone Nazarov derivative of 62% (16 h, 60 °C). For the reactions conducted in the DES triphenylmethylphosphonium bromide/acetic acid, quantitative conversions were obtained with percentages of the Nazarov product above 95% even at 25 °C. Surface Responding Analysis of the optimized data furnished a useful tool to determine the best operating conditions leading to quantitative conversion of the starting material, with complete suppression of undesired side-reactions, high yields and selectivity. After optimization, it was possible to convert more than 90% of the model substrate into the desired cyclopentenone with cis percentages up to 77%. Experimental validation of the implemented model confirmed the robustness and the suitability of the procedure, leading to possible further extension to this specific combination of experimental designs to other substrates or even to other synthetic processes of industrial interest.

Water-Compatible Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazoles under Ultrasonic Conditions by a Cu(I) Complex-Mediated Click Reaction

A new monophosphine Cu(I) complex bearing bis(pyrazolyl)methane (L 1 ) (CuIL 1 PPh 3 ) was synthesized and used as a catalyst for the three-component click reaction from an alkyl halide, sodium azide, and terminal alkyne to furnish 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles in up to 93% yield. The catalyst is highly stable, compatible with oxygen/water, and works with total efficiency under ultrasonic condition. The structure of the complex was studied and confirmed by X-ray crystallography, finding a riveting relationship with its catalytic activity. This sustainable triazoles synthesis is distinguished by its high atom economy, low catalyst loading (up to 0.5 mol %), broad substrate scope, short reaction times, operational simplicity, and an easy gram-scale supply of a functionalized product for subsequent synthetic applications.

Ultrasonic assisted synthesis of styrylpyridinium dyes: Optical properties and DFT calculations

The ultrasonic technique has received considerable attention in several fields; in particular, it gained rapid momentum in organic synthesis due to the larger reaction rates, milder reaction conditions, and better yields. We report herein a facile synthesis of a series of styrylpyridinium based dyes under ultrasonic irradiation. Within short reaction time (15 min) under ultrasonic irradiation, compared to normal laboratory conditions, (4-16 h), we can achieve good to excellent yields. The reaction time is shortened because ultrasound can accelerate the generation of the nucleophile of the pyridinium salt and subsequently a nucleophilic addition of an aldehyde followed by dehydration affords the styrylpyridinium dye, (Knoevenagel condensation). The photophysical properties of all compounds are comprehensively investigated in different solvents. All the compounds exhibit negative solvatochromism both in absorption and fluorescence emission spectra. Such behavior is due to the higher dipole moment of these molecules at the ground state. DFT calculations were performed to understand the electronic structure of the molecules. Our results show the high efficacy of sonochemistry over other methods for preparation of styrylpyridinium dyes.

Ultrasound-assisted multicomponent synthesis of 4H-pyrans in water and DNA binding studies

A simple approach to synthesize new highly substituted 4H-pyran derivatives is described. Efficient Et3N acts as a readily accessible catalyst of this process performed in pure water and with only a 20 mol% of catalyst loading. The extremely simple operational methodology, short reaction times, clean procedure and excellent product yields render this new approach extremely appealing for the synthesis of 4H-pyrans, as potentially biological scaffolds. Additionally, DNA interaction analysis reveals that 4H-pyran derivatives behave preferably as minor groove binders over major groove or intercalators. Therefore, this is one of the scarce examples where pyrans have resulted to be interesting DNA binders with high binding constants (Kb ranges from 1.53 × 104 M-1 to 2.05 × 106 M-1).

Reaction kinetics of sonochemical oxidation of potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) in aqueous solutions

We studied sonochemical reactions resulting from ultrasonic treatment of potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) in aqueous solutions using a custom-built apparatus working at 536 kHz. We concluded that primary reactions are completely dominated by oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) and did not find any evidences for degradation of cyanide. At the highest concentration used in the present study (0.1 M) we detected formation of pentacyanoaquaferrate(II) complex, which is most probably formed in reactions between hexacyanoferrate(III) anions and hydrogen atoms or hydrated electrons formed in sonochemical processes. We also determined that hydroxyl radicals formation rate in our system, (8.7 ± 1.5)∙10^-8 M∙s^-1, is relatively high compared to other reported experiments. We attribute this to focusing of the ultrasonic wave in the sample vessel. Finally, we suggest that oxidation rate of hexacyanoferrate(II) anions can be a convenient benchmark of efficiency of sonochemical reactors.

Highly Efficient Nanosized Mesoporous CuMgAl Ternary Oxide Catalyst for Nitro-Alcohol Synthesis: Ultrasound-Assisted Sustainable Green Perspective for the Henry Reaction

Nanosized mesoporous CuMgAl ternary oxide catalysts were prepared by thermal decomposition of CuMgAl-layered double hydroxides at 500 °C with nominal Cu/Mg/Al ratios of 1:1:1 (Cu-LDH-I), 1.5:0.5:1 (Cu-LDH-II), and 2:0:1 (Cu-LDH-III). The synthesized catalysts were characterized by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, CO2-TPD, and N2 physisorption analysis techniques. The catalytic activity of the synthesized materials was investigated for the Henry reaction between nitromethane and numerous aldehyde derivatives under ultrasonic irradiation. The three CuMgAl ternary oxide catalysts exhibited a high catalytic activity, forming nitro alcohol products with 100% atom economy. The CuMgAl-I catalyst derived from Cu-LDH-I offered high turnover frequencies (TOFs in the synthesis of all of the nitro alcohols in shorter reaction times). The superior catalytic activity of the CuMgAl-I sample is attributed to the synergistic effect between the physicochemical properties of the catalysts and ultrasonic irradiation. The HRTEM analysis of the used CuMgAl-I catalyst revealed the evidence for the cavitation collapse, which causes localized deformation and surface erosion. Moreover, the synthesized catalysts also exhibited robust sustainable activity that resisted deactivation over repeated usage. The present example of ultrasonic-assisted catalyzed organic synthesis represents a novel strategy for the solvent-free green synthesis of nitro-alcohols by the Henry reaction with 100% atom economy.

Ultrasound accelerated synthesis of O-alkylated hydroximides under solvent- and metal-free conditions

A novel, sustainable, environmentally friendly, high substrate scope, efficient, solvent-free and metal catalyst-free method for the cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction between N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) and benzyl/ether compounds is described. This coupling reaction proceeds through ultrasound acceleration. Compared to conventional heating conditions, the use of ultrasound techniques not only improves the reaction efficiency and enhances the reaction rate but also minimizes the side reactions.

Peanut shell as a green biomolecule support for anchoring Cu2O: a biocatalyst for green synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles under ultrasonic irradiation

Cu2O supported on peanut shell (Cu2O@PS) was prepared by the reaction of copper acetate and peanut shell powder as a naturally available biopolymer support. The prepared catalyst was used as an efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst in the click reaction of benzyl halide or phenacyl bromides, acetylenes and sodium azide for the synthesis of potentially biologically active 1,2,3-triazoles under ultrasonic irradiation in EtOH-H2O as green solvent.

Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis, Antifungal Activity against Fusarium oxysporum, and Three-Dimensional Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship of N,S-Dialkyl Dithiocarbamates Derived from 2-Amino Acids

A high-yielding, green, and fast synthesis of alkyl 2-substituted {[(alkylsulfanyl)carbonothioyl]amino}acetate-type compounds is described. The one-pot, three-component condensation of alkyl 2-aminoesters, carbon disulfide, and electron-deficient olefins was the key reaction to be developed. The products were obtained easily and efficiently, with good overall yields after two steps (79-91%), employing short reaction times, without the use of a catalyst, and ultrasonic irradiation in water. This procedure was exploited to produce antifungals against the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Some synthesized compounds exhibited good performance as mycelial growth inhibitors (IC₅₀ < 80 μM). Structural and antifungal datasets were integrated to explore the comprehensive three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and explain the observed activity. This integration resulted in an excellent CoMFA model (r ² = 0.812; q ² = 0.771) after substructure-based alignment. According to this model, synthesized compounds possessing steric bulky electron-withdrawing groups in the dithiocarbamate moiety can be considered as promising F. oxysporum inhibitors.

Robust synthesis of sugar-coumarin based fluorescent 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles using highly efficient recyclable citrate grafted β-cyclodextrin@magnetite nano phase transfer catalyst in aqueous media

Green synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles via click reaction using nano magnetic Fe₃O₄ core decorated with cyclodextrin-citric acid (Fe₃O₄@CD-CIT) acting as a phase transfer nanoreactor with low copper loading under ultrasonication at 40 °C, in aqueous media is described. Anchoring the surface of magnetite with cyclodextrin (CD) prevents its agglomeration and at the same time, CD provides a hydrophobic niche for lipophilic reactants while its outer hydrophilic core makes the reaction feasible in water yielding almost quantitative yield of desired products. Magnetic separation using an external magnet, recyclability and reuse (7 times), without appreciably affecting the %yield of the products are its other attractive attributes. Gram scale synthesis was also achieved with 93% yield.

Green Accelerated Synthesis, Antimicrobial Activity and Seed Germination Test of Quaternary Ammonium Salts of 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane

A family of fifteen quaternary ammonium salts (QAs), bearing the 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane core, were obtained using for the first time two different green methods, such as microwave (MW) and ultrasounds (US) irradiation, with very good yields and in much shorter times compared to the classical method, and an assay on their antimicrobial action against Escherichia coli (E. coli) was carried out. While 12 to 24 hours were required for complete alkylation of 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane by reactive halogenated derivatives in anhydrous solvent under reflux conditions, MW and US irradiation reduced the reaction time and the desired products were achieved in a few min. One of the aims of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial potential of the synthesized QAs against pathogenic bacteria, along with their impact on germination activity of wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum L.). The antibacterial activity of the QAs against Escherichia coli was explored by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The MIC values varied from 0.312 to 2.5 mg/mL, highlighting the lowest values attained for the derivatives containing methoxy, chlorine and benzofurane functional groups. The viability of aerobic bacteria was determined with the Tetrazolium/Formazan Test, a method that was found to be the best alternative approach with respect to the difuzimetric method. Seeds of Triticum aestivum L. were used for the evaluation of the germination indicators, such as seed germination (SG), the relative seed germination (RSG), the relative radicle growth (RRG), and the seed germination index (GI). The toxicity studies of QAs 1, 4 and 7, at two different concentrations, showed no inhibitory effect on seed germination.

Scalable Sonochemical Synthetic Strategy for Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine Derivatives: First Catalyst-Free Concerted [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Alkyne and Alkene Derivatives to 2-Imino-1H-pyridin-1-amines

A highly efficient and convenient one-pot sonochemical synthetic strategy has been sophisticated for synthesizing a novel class of polysubstituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines via [3 + 2] cycloaddition of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, ethyl propiolate, and alkenes to 2-imino-1H-pyridin-1-amines under catalyst-free conditions. A series of uniquely substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines has been synthesized with a very good to excellent yield, and the mechanistic pathway that involves a [3 + 2] annulation process was also proposed. In this study, several spectroscopic tools of analyses were employed for structure elucidation, and the X-ray single-crystal technique was utilized to confirm the proposed mechanism and the regioselectivity.

Sonochemically assisted 2,3-dideoxygenation and skeletal rearrangement of ecdysteroid derivatives

Sonochemical 2,3-dideoxygenation of ecdysteroids with the Δ ²⁽³⁾-bond generation and activation of the C-C bonds of the steroid core in the poststerone derivatives, that causes the skeletal rearrangement have been carried out for the first time. Thus, the ultrasonically assisted reaction of 2,3-dimesyloxy derivatives of ecdysteroids with the NaI-Zn-DMF system gives rise to their 2,3-dideoxy-Δ²⁽³⁾-analogues with yields 70-92%. In the case of 2,3-dimesyloxypoststerone as the initial ecdysteroid substrate the reaction is accompanied by the activation of the allyl moiety and semipinacol rearrangement, resulting in the C¹³-C¹⁴ bond migration with C/D rings contraction/expansion and providing novel short chain (8R)-13(14 → 8)-abeo-isomer.

Eco-compatible sonochemical synthesis of 8-aryl-7,8-dihydro-[1,3]-dioxolo[4,5-g]quinolin-6(5H)-ones using green TiO2

A green and an aqueous-mediated sonochemical synthesis of 8-aryl-7,8-dihydro-[1,3]-dioxolo[4,5-g]quinolin-6(5H)-ones from the multi-component reaction of Meldrum's acid, 3,4-methylenedioxy aniline and various aromatic aldehydes is described in the presence of catalytic amount of TiO₂ NPs for the first time using high power sonicator. Initially, TiO₂ NPs has also been synthesized by the biochemical method using leaf extract of Origanum majorana plant as a reducing and capping agent under sonication. Under the sonication, the catalytic activity of synthesized TiO₂ NPs found to be excellent for synthesis of a series of 8-aryl-7,8-dihydro-[1,3]-dioxolo[4,5-g]quinolin-6(5H)-ones with operational simplicity, high yield under green reaction conditions without any environmental issue. The structure of TiO₂ NPs was characterized by FT-IR, SEM, TEM, XRD and EDX studies.