Aluminium-exchanged tungstophosphoric acid: An efficient catalyst for intermolecular hydroarylation of vinyl arenes

Progress of Catalytic Valorization of Bio-Glycerol with Urea into Glycerol Carbonate as a Monomer for Polymeric Materials

Versatile polymers with highly adjustable characteristics and a broad range of applications are possibly developed owing to the contemporary industrial polymerization techniques. However, industrial production of large amounts of chemicals and polymers heavily depends on petroleum resources which are dwindling and unsustainable. Of particular interest is to utilize sustainable and green resources for the manufacture of polymeric materials. The efficient transformation of bio-glycerol to the relevant functional derivatives are being widely investigated owing to the increasing demand for enhancing the value of glycerol manufactured by biodiesel and oleochemical industries. With respect to glycerol-based polymer chemistry and technology, considering the economy and environmental benefits, using effective catalysts for the selective transformation of bio-glycerol and urea into glycerol carbonate (GC) as a polymer monomer is of great significance. In this review, recent studies on GC synthesis involving the catalysts such as zinc, magnesium, tungsten, ionic liquid-based catalysts, reaction conditions, and possible pathways are primarily described. Some critical issues and challenges with respect to the rational development of heterogeneous catalytic materials like well-balanced acid-base sites are also illustrated.

Phosphorous Acid-Catalyzed Alkylation of Phenols with Alkenes

A H₃PO₃-catalyzed alkylation of phenols with alkenes is achieved in a facile, efficient, and selective manner. The reaction shows a unique selectivity, i.e., excellent regioselectivity, thorough suppression of overalkylation, without alkylation of a simple phenyl ring, and can selectively provide ortho-, meta-, or para-alkylated phenol derivatives in good to excellent yields. This feature along with mild reaction conditions, sensitive functional group tolerance, and scale-up synthesis and late modification of phenolic bioactive compounds make it an ideal and practical alternative for the modification of phenols.

Efficient hydroarylation and hydroalkenylation of vinylarenes by Brønsted acid catalysis

Brønsted acid Tf₂NH-catalyzed hydroarylation and hydroalkenylation of 4 vinylarenes under mild reaction conditions is herein shown to provide access to 1,1-diarylalkane scaffolds and trans-1,3-diaryl-1-butenes in high yields and with excellent regioselectivity.

Heterogenization of heteropoly compounds: a review of their structure and synthesis

The heterogenization of different types of heteropoly compoundsviasix popular methods from those published over the past recent 15 years is reviewed.