Towards the catalytic formation of α,β-vinylesters and alkoxy substituted γ-lactones

Iron- and copper-based bifunctional catalysts for the base- and solvent-free C–N coupling of amines and aryl/benzyl chlorides under aerobic conditions

The chalcogenised ironcarbonyl clusters Fe3Se2(CO)9 and Cu(OAc)2 were found to be outstanding bimetallic catalyst for the Buchwald type C–N cross coupling reaction of amine and aryl chloride.

CO-free, aqueous mediated, instant and selective reduction of nitrobenzene via robustly stable chalcogen stabilised iron carbonyl clusters (Fe3E2(CO)9, E = S, Se, Te)

Highly stable and thermally robust iron chalcogenide carbonyl clusters Fe₃E₂(CO)₉ (E = S, Se or Te) have been explored for the reduction of nitrobenzene. A 15 min thermal heating of an aqueous solution of nitrobenzene and hydrazine hydrate in the catalytic presence of Fe₃E₂(CO)₉ (E = S, Se or Te) clusters yield average to excellent aniline transformations. Among the S, Se and Te based iron chalcogenised carbonyl clusters, the diselenide cluster was found to be most efficient and produce almost 90% yield of the desired amino product, the disulfide cluster was also found to be significantly active, produce the 85% yield of amino product, while the ditelluride cluster was not found to be active and produced only 49% yield of the desired product. The catalyst can be reused up to three catalytic cycles and it needs to be dried in an oven for one hour prior to reuse for the best results. The developed method is inexpensive, environmentally benign, does not require any precious metal or a high pressure of toxic CO gas and exclusively brings the selective reduction of the nitro group under feasible and inert free conditions.

In this study, a strongly feasible method for the reduction of nitrobenzene has been developed through highly stable and thermally robust iron chalcogenide carbonyl clusters Fe₃E₂(CO)₉ (E = S, Se or Te).

Non-noble metal-catalysed carbonylative transformations

The main achievements on non-noble metal (Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, Ni) catalysed carbonylative transformations have been summarized and discussed.