Catalytic Oxidation of Alcohols and Amines to Value‐Added Chemicals using Water as the Solvent

Relay Catalysis for Selective Aerobic Oxidative Esterification of Primary Alcohols with Methanol

Esters are bulk and fine chemicals and ubiquitous in polymers, bioactive compounds, and natural products. Their traditional synthetic approach is the esterification of carboxylic acids or their activated derivatives with alcohols. Herein, a bimetallic relay catalytic protocol was developed for the aerobic esterification of one alcohol in the presence of a slowly oxidizing alcohol, which has been identified as methanol. A concise synthesis of phlomic acid was executed to demonstrate the practicality and potential of this reaction.

Phenalenyl-Based Photocatalyst for Bioinspired Oxidative Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles and Benzyl Alcohols

The environmental benefits of molecular oxygen as the oxidizing agent in oxidation reactions that synthesize fine chemicals cannot be overstated. Increased interest in developing robust photocatalysts is stimulated by the fact that the current photocatalytic transformation boom has made previously inaccessible synthetic approaches possible. Motivated by enzymatic catalysis, employing a reusable phenalenyl-based photocatalyst, we have successfully developed oxidative dehydrogenation utilizing molecular oxygen as a greener oxidant. Under photoinduced oxidative dehydrogenation conditions, different types of saturated N-heterocycles and alcohols were successfully dehydrogenated. The versatility of this bioinspired protocol is demonstrated by the fact that a wide variety of N-heteroaromatics, such as quinoline, carbazole, quinoxaline, acridine, and indole derivatives, as well as aldehydes and ketones, were successfully synthesized. Detailed mechanistic studies validate the proposed mechanism. Fluorescence lifetime and CV experiments revealed the crucial role of water on the efficiency of the reaction. The present protocol also provides chemoselectivity and scalability, leading to superior results and allowing for the functionalization of bioactive molecules at a late stage in a sustainable manner.

Creation of a Highly Active Small Cu-Based Catalyst Derived from Copper Aluminium Layered Double Hydroxide Supported on α-Al2 O3 for Acceptorless Alcohol Dehydrogenation

A highly dispersed carbonate-intercalated Cu2+ -Al3+ layered double hydroxide (CuAl LDH) was created on an unreactive α-Al2 O3 surface (CuAl LDH@α-Al2 O3 ) via a simple coprecipitation method of Cu2+ and Al3+ under alkaline conditions in the presence of α-Al2 O3 . A highly reducible CuO nanoparticles was generated, accompanied by the formation of CuAl2 O4 on the surface of α-Al2 O3 (CuAlO@α-Al2 O3 ) after calcination at 1073 K in air, as confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Cu K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). The structural changes during the progressive heating process were monitored by using in-situ temperature-programmed synchrotron XRD (tp-SXRD). The layered structure of CuAl LDH@α-Al2 O3 completely disappeared at 473 K, and CuO or CuAl2 O4 phases began to appear at 823 K or 1023 K, respectively. Our synthesised CuAlO@α-Al2 O3 catalyst was highly active for the acceptorless dehydrogenation of benzylic, aliphatic, or cyclic aliphatic alcohols; the TON based on the amount of Cu increased to 163 from 3.3 of unsupported CuAlO catalyst in 1-phenylethanol dehydrogenation. The results suggested that Cu0 was obtained from the reduction of CuO in the catalyst matrix during the reaction without separate reduction procedure and acted as a catalytically active species.

Pd-Coordinated Salinidol-Modified Mixed MOF: An Excellent Active Center for Efficient Nitroarenes Reduction and Selective Oxidation of Alcohols

Selective oxidation of active and inactive alcohol substrates and reduction of nitroarenes is a highly versatile conversion that remains a challenge in controlling functionality and adjustments in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). On the other hand, it offers an attractive opportunity to expand their applications in designing the next generation of catalysts with improved performance. Herein, a novel mixed MOF consisting of supported 2-hydroxybenzamide (mixed MOF-salinidol) has been fabricated by post-synthetic modifications of mixed MOF. Subsequently, the prepared nanocomposites were modified to impart catalytic sites using palladium chloride ions mixed with MOF-salinidol/Pd (II). After successfully designing and structurally characterizing nanocomposites, we evaluated their activity in oxidizing primary and secondary alcohols using aerobic conditions with molecular oxygen and an air atmosphere. In addition, the stability of (mixed MOF-salinidol/Pd (II)) catalysts under catalytic conditions was also demonstrated by comparing the Fourier-transform infrared spectrum, scanning electron microscopy image, and ICP-OES method before and after catalysis. Based on the results, the active surface area of the synthesized nanocatalyst is large, which highlights its unique synergistic effect between post-synthetic modified MOF and Pd, and furthermore, the availability of catalytic sites from Pd, as demonstrated by outstanding catalytic activity.

Nitronium salts as mild and inexpensive oxidizing reagents toward designing efficient strategies in organic syntheses; A mechanistic investigation based on the DFT insights

Today, introducing and evaluating the performance of novel reagents are an undeniable part of designing a successful synthetic strategy. Herein, we study the efficiency and mechanism of recently synthesized nitronium salts (e.g., NO₂FSO₃, NO₂CF₃SO₃, NO₂HS₂O₇, NO₂BF₄, NO₂PF₆, and NO₂HSO₄) in the oxidation reaction of ethanol to acetic acid, as a model of the primary alcohol transformations to linear carboxylic acid. An aldehyde molecule is the first produced species in this reaction which is converted to the acetic acid molecule in the presence of in situ-produced nitric acid. Concerning the proposed mechanism, among the studied nitronium salts, two different behaviors can be observed in the transition state of the step in which the aldehyde molecule is formed. The calculated barrier energies of this step have been scrutinized by powerful descriptors such as Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), Natural Bond Orbital (NBO), Electrostatic Potential (ESP) surfaces, and Activation Strain Model (ASM). The outcomes of the studied descriptors illustrate that nitronium salts have different performances in progressing the formation of the aldehyde molecule. Indeed, the likeness of the transition state of this step to the products for NO₂FSO₃, NO₂CF₃SO₃, and NO₂HS₂O₇ species is more significant than the others. Accordingly, these reagents have more potential to apply as oxidizing agents in the primary alcohol transformations to linear carboxylic acid.

Silver Catalyzed One-Pot Three-Component Synthesis of α-Aminonitriles and Biologically Relevant α-Amino-phosphonates

A simple silver salt (AgSbF6) catalyzed aminophosphonylation and Strecker reaction have been developed and successfully applied to a wide range of substrates (>55 substrates). This solvent-, ligand-, and base-free one-pot three component protocol operates effectively at room temperature to provide diversified α-aminophosphonates and α-aminonitriles, which gave access to the respective α-amino amides. Importantly, the present catalyst system is also capable to produce the rarely reported and biologically relevant aminophosphonates (having anti-leishmanial activity). Further, the mechanistic studies reveal that the present phosphonylation protocol follows a radical pathway.

Bioinspired o-Naphthoquinone-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols to Aldehydes and Ketones

A biomimetic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)-like oxidation protocol was developed using an ortho-naphthoquinone catalyst in the presence of a catalytic amount of base. The developed organocatalytic aerobic oxidation protocol proceeds through the intramolecular 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer of naphthalene alkoxide intermediates, a mechanistically distinctive feature from the previous alcohol dehydrogenase mimics that require metals in the active form of catalysts. The ADH-like aerobic oxidation protocol should provide green alternatives to the existing stoichiometric and metal-catalyzed alcohol oxidation reactions.

Excellent Eco-friendly Selective Alcohols Oxidation by an Acid Functionalized Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquid

Aims:

A green route for the oxidation of alcohols to corresponding carbonyl compounds in room temperature ionic liquid ([CEMIM]BH4) was developed by using hydrogen peroxide as the oxygen source. In aqueous solution at room temperature, 0.2 mol% of ([CEMIM]BH4) showed excellent catalytic properties for selective oxidation of aromatic and aliphatic alcohols

Background:

One of the vital reactions in organic synthesis is the oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds. In particular, the conversion of primary alcohols to aldehydes has received a variety of applications as they are used as intermediates in fine chemicals mostly for the perfume industry.

Objective:

In the present work, we have reported an effective green route for the selective oxidation of alcohols to the carbonyl compounds using peroxide in an ionic liquid 1-carboxyethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrahydroborate ([CEMIM]BH4)

Methods::

A mixture of alcohol (2 mmol), ([CEMIM]BH4) (0.2 mol%), H2O2 (2 mmol) were stirred thoroughly with the help of a magnetic stirrer for 10 min at ambient temperature

Results:

The catalytic activity of ([CEMIM]BH4) is very effective, which reflects its good solvating nature during the oxidation.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the series of experiments described represents a useful method for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to carbonyl compounds at room temperature. The catalyst can be easily prepared and is therefore extremely cost-effective. The rapid reaction times for the substrates mean a large number of materials may be screened in parallel over a short period of time.

Visible Light-Induced Aerobic Oxidative Dehydrogenation of C-N/C-O to C=N/C=O Bonds Using Metal-Free Photocatalysts: Recent Developments

Performing synthetic transformation using visible light as energy source, in the presence of a photocatalyst as a promoter, is currently of high interest, and oxidation reactions carried out under these conditions using oxygen as the final oxidant are particularly convenient from an environmental point of view. This review summarizes the recent developments achieved in the oxidative dehydrogenation of C-N and C-O bonds, leading to C=N and C=O bonds, respectively, using air or pure oxygen as oxidant and metal-free homogeneous or recyclable heterogeneous photocatalysts under visible light irradiation.

Dioxiranes: A Half-Century Journey

Dioxiranes are multi-tasking reagents inheriting mild and selective oxygen transfer attributes. These oxidants are accessed from the reaction of ketones with an oxidant and are employed stoichiometrically or catalytically (in...

Dimethylamination of Primary Alcohols Using a Homogeneous Iridium Catalyst: A Synthetic Method for N,N-Dimethylamine Derivatives

A new catalytic system for N,N-dimethylamination of primary alcohols using aqueous dimethylamine in the absence of additional organic solvents has been developed. The reaction proceeds via borrowing hydrogen processes, which are atom-efficient and environmentally benign. An iridium catalyst bearing an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand exhibited high performance, without showing any deactivation under aqueous conditions. In addition, valuable N,N-dimethylamine derivatives, including biologically active and pharmaceutical molecules, were synthesized. The practical application of this methodology was demonstrated by a gram-scale reaction.