UC Pd: a new form of Pd/C for Sonogashira couplings

Recent developments in C–C bond formation catalyzed by solid supported palladium: a greener perspective

The world today is struggling to achieve sustainable means for synthetic processes. Standing at this juncture, we need to develop and implement greener and reusable approaches towards organic synthesis. Transition metals especially palladium is a wonder element which has the ability to catalyze a range of useful organic syntheses. However, the expensive nature of palladium has urged synthetic chemists to search for protocols where a single palladium source may be used repeatedly in successive reactions, thus making the overall process cost effective. Palladium when anchored to solid supports leads to catalytic systems which can be easily separated from the organic phase post reaction and can be reused in successive cycles. Not only does this make the process economically viable but also ensures that no metal contaminates the purity of the final organic product. In this review we will highlight the recent developments in C–C bond formation (which is by far the most fundamental mode of bond making in organic synthesis) via the use of solid supported palladium catalytic systems. We will use this opportunity to illustrate the synthetic processes from a greener sustainable point of view which we feel is of utmost relevance in the current scientific scenario.

Illuminating a Path4914. Copyright 2016 Wiley for Organic Synthesis Towards Sustainability. No One Said It Would Be Easy…

A personalized account is presented describing some of the stories behind the scenes in efforts to convert organic chemistry into a more sustainable discipline. These are part of a group ‘crusade’ started almost 15 years ago aimed at providing technologies illustrative of how key reactions used today can be ‘faster, better, cheaper’ when run in recyclable water. Hence, the option now exists to do organic synthesis in a far more environmentally responsible fashion. By contrast, most of organic chemistry developed over the past 200 years that relies on organic solvents continues to generate enormous amounts of pollution, while depleting finite petroleum reserves and our supplies of many precious and base metals. Making the switch to water, Nature’s chosen reaction medium, akin to that in which bio-catalysis is typically performed, is inevitable.

1 The Story Begins: A Different Type of Prejudice

2 Are We up to the Challenge? Too Late Now…

3 ‘Impossible’ Reactive Metal Chemistry in Water

4 Didn’t I Once Say: ‘It’s All about the Ligand’?

5 What Happens When Our Supply of Palladium Runs Out?

6 What Are the Implications from These Tales for Today and Tomorrow?

7 What Is the ‘Broader Impact’ of This Work?

8 The Bottom Line…

Nickel-catalyzed regioselective C–H halogenation of electron-deficient arenes

A straightforward Ni(ii)-catalyzed general strategy was developed for the ortho-halogenation of electron-deficient arenes with easily available halogenating reagents N-halosuccinimides (NXS; X = Br, Cl and I).

Restructuring of supported Pd by green solvents: an operando quick EXAFS (QEXAFS) study and implications for the derivation of structure–function relationships in Pd catalysis

Aqueous ethanolic solvents rearrange Pd catalysts facilely toward a common state irrespective of starting Pd dispersion or support material.

Sonogashira reaction of aryl and heteroaryl halides with terminal alkynes catalyzed by a highly efficient and recyclable nanosized MCM-41 anchored palladium bipyridyl complex

A heterogeneous catalyst, nanosized MCM-41-Pd, was used to catalyze the Sonogashira coupling of aryl and heteroaryl halides with terminal alkynes in the presence of CuI and triphenylphosphine. The coupling products were obtained in high yields using low Pd loadings to 0.01 mol%, and the nanosized MCM-41-Pd catalyst was recovered by centrifugation of the reaction solution and re-used in further runs without significant loss of reactivity.