Synthesis of novel poly(ethylene glycol) supported benzazepines: the crucial role of PEG on the selectivity of an intramolecular Heck reaction

Formation of Cyclohepta[b]indole Scaffolds via Heck Cyclization: A Strategy for Structural Analogues of Ervatamine Group of Indole Alkaloid

Ervatamine, silicine, methuenine, etc., are naturally occurring alkaloids that exhibit antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-HIV activities. Indole fused with a seven-membered carbocyclic ring is a commonly observed structural feature among this series of bioactive compounds. This work describes a strategic approach for the synthesis of cyclohepta[b]indole structural scaffolds. The synthetic strategy consists of a solvent-free Baylis-Hillman reaction of 2-bromobenzaldehydes, followed by iodine-catalyzed C-alkylation of indole with the Baylis-Hillman adducts. Finally, intramolecular Heck coupling reaction using Pd(OAc)2 as catalyst in the presence of benzyltrimethylammonium bromide under microwave condition produced the desired cyclohepta[b]indole derivatives.

Enhancement in the catalytic activity of Pd/USY in the heck reaction induced by H2 bubbling

Pd was loaded on ultra stable Y (USY) zeolites prepared by steaming NH(4)-Y zeolite under different conditions. Heck reactions were carried out over the prepared Pd/USY. We found that H₂ bubbling was effective in improving not only the catalytic activity of Pd/USY, but also that of other supported Pd catalysts and Pd(OAc)₂. Moreover, the catalytic activity of Pd/USY could be optimized by choosing appropriate steaming conditions for the preparation of the USY zeolites; Pd loaded on USY prepared at 873 K with 100% H₂O gave the highest activity (TOF = 61,000 h⁻¹), which was higher than that of Pd loaded on other kinds of supports. The prepared Pd/USY catalysts were applicable to the Heck reactions using various kinds of substrates including bromo- and chloro-substituted aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds. Characterization of the acid properties of the USY zeolites revealed that the strong acid site (OH(strong)) generated as a result of steaming had a profound effect on the catalytic activity of Pd.

Palladium catalysts supported on mesoporous molecular sieves bearing nitrogen donor groups: preparation and use in Heck and Suzuki C-C bond-forming reactions

A series of supported catalysts is prepared by treatment of SBA-15-type mesoporous molecular sieve bearing [triple chemical bond]SiCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)NHCH(2)CH(2)NEt(2) groups with palladium(II) acetate. These catalysts are studied in Suzuki biaryl couplings and in Heck reactions to establish the influence of metal loading and innocent surface modifications (trimethylsilylation). The Suzuki reaction proceeded efficiently with model and practically relevant substrates; the catalyst performance increasing with an increasing degree of metalation (decreasing N/Pd ratio). Catalyst poisoning tests revealed that the reaction takes place in the liquid phase with the catalyst serving as a reservoir of active metal species and also as a stabilizing support once the reaction is performed. In the Heck reactions, on the other hand, the catalyst performance strongly changed with the reaction temperature and with the N/Pd ratio. The material with the lowest metal loading (0.01 mmol palladium per gram of material, N/Pd ratio ca. 100:1) proved particularly attractive in the Heck coupling, being highly active at elevated temperatures, recyclable, and capable of acting as a bifunctional catalyst (i.e., functioning without any external base.

Polymer-encapsulated metal nanoparticles: optical, structural, micro-analytical and hydrogenation studies of a composite material

A single-step synthesis route is described for the preparation of a metal-polymer composite in which palladium acetate and meta-amino benzoic acid were used as the precursors for palladium nanoparticles and poly(meta-amino benzoic acid) (PABA). The palladium nanoparticles were found to be uniformly dispersed and highly stabilized throughout the macromolecule matrix. The resultant composite material was characterized by means of different techniques, such as IR and Raman spectroscopy, which provided information regarding the chemical structure of the polymer, whereas electron microscopy images yielded information regarding the morphology of the composite material and the distribution of the metal particles in the composite material. The composite material was used as a catalyst for the ethylene hydrogenation reaction and showed catalytic activity at higher temperatures. TEM studies confirmed the changed environment of the nanoparticles at these temperatures.