Nitration of aromatic compounds with NO2/air catalyzed by sulfonic acid-functionalized ionic liquids

Synthesis of Novel Nitro-Halogenated Aryl-Himachalene Sesquiterpenes from Atlas Cedar Oil Components: Characterization, DFT Studies, and Molecular Docking Analysis against Various Isolated Smooth Muscles

We report the synthesis of two novel halogenated nitro-arylhimachalene derivatives: 2-bromo-3,5,5,9-tetramethyl-1-nitro-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulene (bromo-nitro-arylhimachalene) and 2-chloro-3,5,5,9-tetramethyl-1,4-dinitro-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulene (chloro-dinitro-arylhimachalene). These compounds were derived from arylhimachalene, an important sesquiterpene component of Atlas cedar essential oil, via a two-step halogenation and nitration process. Characterization was performed using 1H and 13C NMR spectrometry, complemented by X-ray structural analysis. Quantum chemical calculations employing density functional theory (DFT) with the Becke3-Lee-Yang-parr (B3LYP) functional and a 6-31++G(d,p) basis set were conducted. The optimized geometries of the synthesized compounds were consistent with X-ray structure data. Frontier molecular orbitals and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) profiles were identified and discussed. DFT reactivity indices provided insights into the compounds' behaviors. Moreover, Hirshfeld surface and 2D fingerprint analyses revealed significant intermolecular interactions within the crystal structures, predominantly H-H and H-O contacts. Molecular docking studies demonstrate strong binding affinities of the synthesized compounds to the active site of protein 7B2W, suggesting potential therapeutic applications against various isolated smooth muscles and neurotransmitters.

Condensation of 9-fluorenone and phenol using an ionic liquid and a mercapto compound synergistic catalyst

A SO₃H-functionalized ionic liquid and thiol co-catalyst synergistically catalyze the condensation reaction of 9-fluorenone with phenol.

Chemodivergent, multicomponent-tandem facile synthesis of novel 1H-pyrazolo[1,2-b]phthalazine-5,10-dione using acetic acid functionalized imidazolium salt {[cmdmim]I} as a recyclable catalyst

A novel one-pot four-component, highly efficient and environmentally benign approach for the synthesis of a wide range of 1H-pyrazolo[1,2-b]phthalazine-5,10-dione derivatives in the presence of acetic acid functionalized imidazolium salt as a newly synthesized Brønsted acid catalyst is described.

Prospective Symbiosis of Green Chemistry and Energetic Materials

A global increase in environmental pollution demands the development of new "cleaner" chemical processes. Among urgent improvements, the replacement of traditional hydrocarbon-derived toxic organic solvents with neoteric solvents less harmful for the environment is one of the most vital issues. As a result of the favorable combination of their unique properties, ionic liquids (ILs), dense gases, and supercritical fluids (SCFs) have gained considerable attention as suitable green chemistry media for the preparation and modification of important chemical compounds and materials. In particular, they have a significant potential in a specific and very important area of research associated with the manufacture and processing of high-energy materials (HEMs). These large-scale manufacturing processes, in which hazardous chemicals and extreme conditions are used, produce a huge amount of hard-to-dispose-of waste. Furthermore, they are risky to staff, and any improvements that would reduce the fire and explosion risks of the corresponding processes are highly desirable. In this Review, useful applications of almost nonflammable ILs, dense gases, and SCFs (first of all, CO₂ ) for nitration and other reactions used for manufacturing HEMs are considered. Recent advances in the field of energetic (oxygen-balanced and hypergolic) ILs are summarized. Significant attention is paid to the SCF-based micronization techniques, which improve the energetic performance of HEMs through an efficient control of the morphology and particle size distribution of the HEM fine particles, and to useful applications of SCFs in HEM processing that makes them less hazardous.

Two-stage conversion of high free fatty acid Jatropha curcas oil to biodiesel using Brønsted acidic ionic liquid and KOH as catalysts

Biodiesel was produced from high free fatty acid (FFA) Jatropha curcas oil (JCO) by two-stage process in which esterification was performed by Brønsted acidic ionic liquid 1-(1-butylsulfonic)-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BSMIM]Cl) followed by KOH catalyzed transesterification. Maximum FFA conversion of 93.9% was achieved and it reduced from 8.15 wt% to 0.49 wt% under the optimum reaction conditions of methanol oil molar ratio 12 : 1 and 10 wt% of ionic liquid catalyst at 70°C in 6 h. The ionic liquid catalyst was reusable up to four times of consecutive runs under the optimum reaction conditions. At the second stage, the esterified JCO was transesterified by using 1.3 wt% KOH and methanol oil molar ratio of 6 : 1 in 20 min at 64°C. The yield of the final biodiesel was found to be 98.6% as analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. Chemical composition of the final biodiesel was also determined by GC-MS analysis.

Reusable and Efficient PS-Supported Acidic Ionic Liquid Catalyst for Mononitration of Toluene

A polystyrene-supported 1-(propyl-3-sulfonate)-3-methy-imidazolium hydrosulfate acidic ionic liquid (PS-[SO3H-PMIM][HSO4]) catalyst was prepared by grafting and characterized by FT-IR, SEM/TEM, elements analysis, TG/DSC and acid base titration. It exhibited higher catalytic activity and improved para-selectivity than its homogenous counterpart for the nitration of toluene with 68% nitric acid. The catalytic activity of this catalyst decreased slightly after fifth runs in the synthesis of nitrotoluene.

Liquid phase nitration of benzene over supported ammonium salt of 12-molybdophosphoric acid catalysts prepared by sol-gel method

A mild and clean liquid nitration of benzene with 65% nitric acid as nitrating agent over silica supported ammonium salt of 12-molybdophosphoric acid catalysts has been investigated. These catalysts with different loadings were prepared by sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR spectra. The acidity of these catalysts was measured by the potentiometric titration method. The XRD and IR analysis revealed that supported catalysts possess the Keggin structure which is similar to 12-molybdophosphoric acid. And it can be found that the supported catalysts had high nitration reaction catalytic activity and selectivity over nitrobenzene. The effects of various parameters such as nitric acid/benzene volume ratio, temperature and time of reaction have also been systematically studied.