One-Pot Catalyst-Free Synthesis of β- and γ-Hydroxy Sulfides Using Diaryliodonium Salts and Microwave Irradiation

Synthesis of thiocyanato-containing phenanthrenes and dihydronaphthalenes via Lewis acid-activated tandem electrophilic thiocyanation/carbocyclization of alkynes

A tandem electrophilic thiocyanation and cyclization of arene-alkynes has been developed under mild conditions, affording thiocyanato-substituted phenanthrenes, dihydronaphthalenes, 2H-chromenes and dihydroquinolines in moderate to excellent yields. This reaction provides an efficient protocol for the construction of C-SCN and C-C bonds in one step. In this transformation, N-thiocyanato reagent serves as a convenient precursor to transfer SCN⁺ in the presence of trimethylchlorosilane, and the cyclization exhibited exclusive 6-endo-dig selectivity. Finally, a gram scale reaction and further derivatizations highlight the utility of this synthetic strategy.

Ligand-free Ullmann-type arylation of oxazolidinones by diaryliodonium salts

The arylation of azaheterocycles can be considered as one of the most important processes for the preparation of various biologically active compounds. In the present work, we describe a method for the copper-catalyzed N-arylation of hindered oxazolidinones using diaryliodonium salts. The method succeeds in good to excellent yields for the arylation of 4-alkyloxazolidinones, including sterically hindered isopropyl- and tert-butyl-substituted. The efficiency of the method was demonstrated for a wide range of diaryliodonium salts - symmetric and unsymmetric as well as ortho-substituted derivatives. The developed approach will provide an important contribution in the development and preparation of novel drugs and bioactive molecules containing oxazolidinone moieties.

A review of the microwave-assisted synthesis of carbon nanomaterials, metal oxides/hydroxides and their composites for energy storage applications

Currently, nanomaterials are considered to be the backbone of modern civilization. Especially in the energy sector, nanomaterials (mainly, carbon- and metal oxide/hydroxide-based nanomaterials) have contributed significantly. Among the various green approaches for the synthesis of these nanomaterials, the microwave-assisted approach has attracted significant research interest worldwide. In this context, it is noteworthy to mention that because of their enhanced surface area, high conducting nature, and excellent electrical and electrochemical properties, carbon nanomaterials are being extensively utilized as efficient electrode materials for both supercapacitors and secondary batteries. In this review article, we briefly demonstrate the characteristics of microwave-synthesized nanomaterials for next-generation energy storage devices. Starting with the basics of microwave heating, herein, we illustrate the past and present status of microwave chemistry for energy-related applications, and finally present a brief outlook and concluding remarks. We hope that this review article will positively convey new insights for the microwave synthesis of nanomaterials for energy storage applications.

Selectfluor-initiated cyanation of disulfides to thiocyanates

A Selectfluor-initiated cyanation of disulfides to thiocyanates has been developed. In this process, Selectfluor was employed as the oxidant and trimethylsilyl cyanide was used as the cyanation reagent. It provides an eco-friendly and simple way to synthesize the thiocyanates.

Fluorium-Initiated Dealkylative Cyanation of Thioethers to Thiocyanates

Thioethers are converted to thiocyanates via fluorium-initiated dealkylative cyanation. Selectfluor is used as the oxidant, and trimethylsilyl cyanide is used as the cyanation reagent. The well-streamlined procedure is user-friendly, operationally simple, and step-economical. The current mechanistic studies show that the sulfur radical cation and cyano radical are both involved. They combine to deliver cyanosulfonium, an intermediate toward thiocyanate after dealkylation. Alternatively, a nucleophilic mechanism is also possible. Our dealkyaltive cyanation is also efficient in synthesizing thiocyanates with strongly electrophilic functionalities.

Advances in Synthetic Applications of Hypervalent Iodine Compounds

The preparation, structure, and chemistry of hypervalent iodine compounds are reviewed with emphasis on their synthetic application. Compounds of iodine possess reactivity similar to that of transition metals, but have the advantage of environmental sustainability and efficient utilization of natural resources. These compounds are widely used in organic synthesis as selective oxidants and environmentally friendly reagents. Synthetic uses of hypervalent iodine reagents in halogenation reactions, various oxidations, rearrangements, aminations, C-C bond-forming reactions, and transition metal-catalyzed reactions are summarized and discussed. Recent discovery of hypervalent catalytic systems and recyclable reagents, and the development of new enantioselective reactions using chiral hypervalent iodine compounds represent a particularly important achievement in the field of hypervalent iodine chemistry. One of the goals of this Review is to attract the attention of the scientific community as to the benefits of using hypervalent iodine compounds as an environmentally sustainable alternative to heavy metals.

Transition-metal-free cross-coupling of thioethers with aryl(cyano)iodonium triflates: a facile and efficient method for the one-pot synthesis of thiocyanates

A novel transition-metal-free method for the one-step synthesis of thiocyanates via the C–S bond cleavage of readily available thioethers was developed.

Metal complexes with bis(2-pyridyl)diselenoethers: structural chemistry and catalysis

Bis(2-pyridyl)diselenoethers are versatile ligands for the synthesis of transition metal complexes. Some products show remarkable catalytic activities.

Microwave-assisted chemistry: synthetic applications for rapid assembly of nanomaterials and organics

The magic of microwave (MW) heating technique, termed the Bunsen burner of the 21st century, has emerged as a valuable alternative in the synthesis of organic compounds, polymers, inorganic materials, and nanomaterials. Important innovations in MW-assisted chemistry now enable chemists to prepare catalytic materials or nanomaterials and desired organic molecules, selectively, in almost quantitative yields and with greater precision than using conventional heating. By controlling the specific MW parameters (temperature, pressure, and ramping of temperature) and choice of solvents, researchers can now move into the next generation of advanced nanomaterial design and development. Microwave-assisted chemical reactions are now well-established practices in the laboratory setting although some controversy lingers as to how MW irradiation is able to enhance or influence the outcome of chemical reactions. Much of the discussion has focused on whether the observed effects can, in all instances, be rationalized by purely thermal Arrhenius-based phenomena (thermal microwave effects), that is, the importance of the rapid heating and high bulk reaction temperatures that are achievable using MW dielectric heating in sealed reaction vessels, or whether these observations can be explained by so-called "nonthermal" or "specific microwave" effects. In recent years, innovative and significant advances have occurred in MW hardware development to help delineate MW effects, especially the use of silicon carbide (SiC) reaction vessels and the accurate measurement of temperature using fiber optic (FO) temperature probes. SiC reactors appear to be good alternatives to MW transparent borosilicate glass, because of their high microwave absorptivity, and as such they serve as valuable tools to demystify the claimed magical MW effects. This enables one to evaluate the influence of the electromagnetic field on the specific chemical reactions, under truly identical conventional heating conditions, wherein temperature is measured accurately by fiber optic (FO) probe. This Account describes the current status of MW-assisted synthesis highlighting the introduction of various prototypes of equipment, classes of organic reactions pursued using nanomaterials, and the synthesis of unique and multifunctional nanomaterials; the ensuing nanomaterials possess zero-dimensional to three-dimensional shapes, such as spherical, hexagonal, nanoprisms, star shapes, and nanorods. The synthesis of well-defined nanomaterials and nanocatalysts is an integral part of nanotechnology and catalysis science, because it is imperative to control their size, shape, and compositional engineering for unique deployment in the field of nanocatalysis and organic synthesis. MW-assisted methods have been employed for the convenient and reproducible synthesis of well-defined noble and transition core-shell metallic nanoparticles with tunable shell thicknesses. Some of the distinctive attributes of MW-selective heating in the synthesis and applications of magnetic nanocatalysts in organic synthesis under benign reaction conditions are highlighted. Sustainable nanomaterials and their applications in benign media are an ideal blend for the development of greener methodologies in organic synthesis; MW heating provides superb value to the overall sustainable process development via process intensification including the flow systems.