Catalyst free Michael addition of 3-methyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one to β-nitrostyrenes ‘on water’: a green protocol for facile synthesis of 4-(1-aryl-2-nitroethyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-ol

Catalyst-free and additive-free reactions enabling C-C bond formation: a journey towards a sustainable future

This review focuses on the catalyst- and additive-free C-C bond forming reactions reported mostly from the year 2005 to date. C-C bond forming reactions are highly important as large and complex organic molecules can be derived from simpler ones via these reactions. On the other hand, catalyst- and additive-free reactions are economical, environmentally friendly and less sensitive to air/moisture, allow easy separation of products and are operationally simple. Hence, a large number of research articles have been published in this area. Though a few reviews are available on the catalyst-free organic reactions, most of them were published a few years ago. The current review excludes catalysts as well as additives and is specific to only C-C bond formation. Besides many organic name reactions, catalyst/additive-free C-H functionalizations, coupling reactions and UV-visible-light-promoted reactions are also discussed. Undoubtedly, the contents of this review will motivate readers to do more novel work in this area which will accelerate the journey towards a sustainable future.

Chiral-at-Metal Rh(III) Complex-Catalyzed Michael Addition of Pyrazolones with α,β-Unsaturated 2-Acyl Imidazoles

An efficient enantioselective conjugate addition of pyrazolones with α,β-unsaturated 2-acyl imidazoles catalyzed by chiral-at-metal rhodium complex is reported. The corresponding adducts were obtained in good yields (85%-96%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99%). This protocol exhibits extraordinary reactivity, because of the fact that a complex with as little as 0.05 mol % Rh(III) can catalyze the title reaction on a gram-scale with excellent enantioselectivity.

The selective addition of water

Water is omnipresent and unreactive. How to speed up water addition and even make it selective are highlighted in this perspective.

A domino green method for the rapid synthesis of novel fused isoquinoline derivatives via Knoevenagel/Michael/cyclization reactions on aqueous media and their photophysical properties

An expedient, eco-friendly and green-protocol has been developed for the synthesis of novel 4-imino-2-aryl-4H-pyrido[2,1-a]isoquinoline-3-carbonitrile derivatives via Knoevenagel/Michael/cyclisation reactions in one pot under catalyst-free conditions on aqueous media.