Chemistry Takes a Bath: Reactions in Aqueous Media

Challenges and Future Perspectives in Photocatalysis: Conclusions from an Interdisciplinary Workshop

Photocatalysis is a versatile and rapidly developing field with applications spanning artificial photosynthesis, photo-biocatalysis, photoredox catalysis in solution or supramolecular structures, utilization of abundant metals and organocatalysts, sustainable synthesis, and plastic degradation. In this Perspective, we summarize conclusions from an interdisciplinary workshop of young principal investigators held at the Lorentz Center in Leiden in March 2023. We explore how diverse fields within photocatalysis can benefit from one another. We delve into the intricate interplay between these subdisciplines, by highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities presented by each field and how a multidisciplinary approach can drive innovation and lead to sustainable solutions for the future. Advanced collaboration and knowledge exchange across these domains can further enhance the potential of photocatalysis. Artificial photosynthesis has become a promising technology for solar fuel generation, for instance, via water splitting or CO2 reduction, while photocatalysis has revolutionized the way we think about assembling molecular building blocks. Merging such powerful disciplines may give rise to efficient and sustainable protocols across different technologies. While photocatalysis has matured and can be applied in industrial processes, a deeper understanding of complex mechanisms is of great importance to improve reaction quantum yields and to sustain continuous development. Photocatalysis is in the perfect position to play an important role in the synthesis, deconstruction, and reuse of molecules and materials impacting a sustainable future. To exploit the full potential of photocatalysis, a fundamental understanding of underlying processes within different subfields is necessary to close the cycle of use and reuse most efficiently. Following the initial interactions at the Lorentz Center Workshop in 2023, we aim to stimulate discussions and interdisciplinary approaches to tackle these challenges in diverse future teams.

Synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial activity of novel bis(indolyl)methanes sourced from biorenewable furfurals using gluconic acid aqueous solution (GAAS) as a sustainable catalyst

Bis(indolyl)methanes (BIMs) are important heterocycle-containing molecular scaffolds that show remarkable biological and pharmacological activities. This work reports the synthesis of novel BIMs using carbohydrate-derived 5-substituted-2-furaldehydes as renewable reactants. Structural diversity was introduced in the BIMs as substituents in the indole and furaldehyde moieties. Various commonly encountered biorenewable carboxylic acids were screened as catalysts for the acid-catalyzed transformation under organic solvent-free conditions. All the novel BIMs were characterized by spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR) and elemental analysis. The reaction was optimized on the reaction temperature, duration, catalyst type, and catalyst loading. The gluconic acid aqueous solution (GAAS) showed the best catalytic activity for the transformation, affording satisfactory isolated yields (68-96%) of the targeted BIMs under optimized conditions. The GAAS catalyst was conveniently recovered from the reaction mixture and reused for four consecutive cycles without catastrophic loss in either mass or activity. Moreover, the antibacterial activities of the novel BIMs were studied on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, such as Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas syringae.

Onset of Nitriles Hydration with an Environmentally Benign Catalyst: in-Water versus on-Water Conditions

The reaction yield of nitriles hydration using a catalyst depends on the aqueous medium. Using ab initio molecular dynamics, we probed whether "in-water" (in bulk medium) or "on-water" (at the interface with vacuum) conditions can change the onset of the reaction. Investigating a hydrogen-bond mediated mechanism, the lifetimes of the intermolecular interaction between benzonitrile and choline in the two protocols were compared, and the diffusion of the hydroxide anion around the cyano group was discussed.

Radical Reactions in Organic Synthesis: Exploring in-, on-, and with-Water Methods

Radical reactions in water or aqueous media are important for organic synthesis, realizing high-yielding processes under non-toxic and environmentally friendly conditions. This overview includes (i) a general introduction to organic chemistry in water and aqueous media, (ii) synthetic approaches in, on, and with water as well as in heterogeneous phases, (iii) reactions of carbon-centered radicals with water (or deuterium oxide) activated through coordination with various Lewis acids, (iv) photocatalysis in water and aqueous media, and (v) synthetic applications bioinspired by naturally occurring processes. A wide range of chemical processes and synthetic strategies under different experimental conditions have been reviewed that lead to important functional group translocation and transformation reactions, leading to the preparation of complex molecules. These results reveal how water as a solvent/medium/reagent in radical chemistry has matured over the last two decades, with further discoveries anticipated in the near future.

Electrostatic interactions of enzymes in non-aqueous conditions: insights from molecular dynamics simulations

Electrostatic interactions of enzymes and their effects on enzyme activity and stability are poorly understood in non-aqueous conditions. Here, we investigate the contribution of the electrostatic interactions on the stability and activity of enzymes in the non-aqueous environment using molecular dynamics simulations. Lipase was selected as active and lysozyme as inactive model enzymes in non-aqueous media. Hexane was used as a common non-aqueous solvent model. In agreement with the previous experiments, simulations show that lysozyme has more structural instabilities than lipase in hexane. The number of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges of both enzymes is dramatically increased in hexane. In contrast to the other opinions, we show that the increase of the electrostatic interactions in non-aqueous media is not so favorable for enzymatic function and stability. In this condition, the newly formed hydrogen bonds and salt bridges can partially denature the local structure of the enzymes. For lysozyme, the changes in electrostatic interactions occur in all domains including the active site cleft, which leads to enzyme inactivation and destabilization. Interestingly, most of the changes in electrostatic interactions of lipase occur far from the active site regions. Therefore, the active site entrance regions remain functional in hexane. The results of this study reveal how the changes in electrostatic interactions can affect enzyme stability and activity in non-aqueous conditions. Moreover, we show for the first time how some enzymes, such as lipase, remain active in a non-aqueous environment.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Green multicomponent synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives: current insights and future directions

The past decade has witnessed significant progress in synthesizing structurally diverse and biologically relevant pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives through the integration of green methodologies. This review summarizes the recent advances in the green multicomponent synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole and spiro-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives. These include the application of energy-efficient techniques such as microwave and ultrasound-assisted synthesis, benign catalysts and biodegradable composites, solvent selection with a focus on water as a renewable and non-toxic medium, and solvent-free conditions. The review consolidates the current knowledge and future research directions, providing a valuable resource for researchers dedicated to advancing green chemistry practices.

Synthesis of cyano-substituted γ-lactams through a copper-catalyzed cascade cyclization/cyanation reaction

A convenient copper-catalyzed cascade cyclization/cyanation reaction for the construction of cyano-containing γ-lactams was developed. The protocol employed TMSCN as the cyano source and proceeded in water under simple conditions. Mechanistic studies indicated this reaction involved an amidyl radical initiated cascade 5-exo-trig cyclization/cyanation process. It is capable of generating a series of cyano-substituted γ-lactams and relative 2-oxazolidinone derivatives with a broad substrate scope.

Metal-Micelle Interaction Leading to Spontaneous Formation of Ligand-Free Palladium(0) Nanoparticles: Highly Efficient Catalysis Enabling Biaryl Ketone Formation from Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

A novel strategy has been developed to spontaneously form ligand-free Pd(0) nanoparticles (NPs) from water- and air-sensitive Pd₂dba₃ in water. These NPs are thoroughly characterized by IR, NMR, and mass spectrometry, revealing that the metal-micelle binding plays a critical role in their stability and activity. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy supported the ultrasmall nature of NPs, whereas X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the zero-oxidation state of Pd. The shielding effect of micelles and enhanced stability of NPs enabled fast cross-couplings of water-sensitive triazine adducts of carboxylic acid to form nonsymmetrical biaryl ketones. These naturally formed NPs are more efficient than new synthetic NPs formed under a hydrogen atmosphere and traditional NPs formed using the air-sensitive Grignard reagent as a reductant. The activity of naturally formed NPs is compared with that of synthetic NPs over 34 substrates, revealing that naturally formed NPs are much more efficient than synthetic NPs.

Direct C-H Trifluoromethylation of (Hetero)Arenes in Water Enabled by Organic Photoredox-Active Amphiphilic Nanoparticles

Photoredox-catalyzed chemical conversions are predominantly operated in organic media to ensure good compatibility between substrates and catalysts. Yet, when conducted in aqueous media, they are an attractive, mild, and green way to introduce functional groups into organic molecules. We here show that trifluoromethyl groups can be readily installed into a broad range of organic compounds by using water as the reaction medium and light as the energy source. To bypass solubility obstacles, we developed robust water-soluble polymeric nanoparticles that accommodate reagents and photocatalysts within their hydrophobic interior under high local concentrations. By taking advantage of the high excited state reduction potential of N-phenylphenothiazine (PTH) through UV light illumination, the direct C-H trifluoromethylation of a wide array of small organic molecules is achieved selectively with high substrate conversion. Key to our approach is slowing down the production of CF3 radicals during the chemical process by reducing the catalyst loading as well as the light intensity, thereby improving effectiveness and selectivity of this aqueous photocatalytic method. Furthermore, the catalyst system shows excellent recyclability and can be fueled by sunlight. The method we propose here is versatile, widely applicable, energy efficient, and attractive for late-stage introduction of trifluoromethyl groups into biologically active molecules.

Site-specific DNA functionalization through the tetrazene-forming reaction in ionic liquids

Site-specific chemical modification of unprotected DNAs through a phosphine-mediated amine–azide coupling reaction in ionic liquid.

Green and sustainable chemistry - The case for a systems-based, interdisciplinary approach

Although the concepts underpinning green chemistry have evolved over the past 30 years, the practice of green chemistry must move beyond the environmental and human health-related roots of green chemistry towards a more systems-based, life cycle-informed, and interdisciplinary practice of chemistry. To make a transition from green to sustainable chemistry, one must learn to think at a systems level; otherwise green chemistry-inspired solutions are unlikely to be sustainable. This perspective provides a brief description of why the current situation needs to change and is followed by how life cycle thinking helps chemists avoid significant systems-level impacts. The transition from batch to continuous flow processing and novel approaches to isolation and purification provide a case for interdisciplinary collaboration. Finally, an example of end-of-useful-life considerations makes the case that systems and life cycle thinking from an interdisciplinary perspective needs to inform the design of new chemical entities and their associated processes.

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Green and sustainable chemistry must include a systems and life cycle perspective

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Green and sustainable chemistry requires extensive interdisciplinary collaboration

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Catalysis, purification and isolation, and batch to flow processing are discussed

Bis-indolylation of aldehydes and ketones using silica-supported FeCl3: molecular docking studies of bisindoles by targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease binding sites

We report herein an operationally simple, efficient and versatile procedure for the synthesis of bis-indolylmethanes via the reaction of indoles with aldehydes or ketones in the presence of silica-supported ferric chloride under grindstone conditions. The prepared supported catalyst was characterized by SEM and EDX spectroscopy. The present protocol has several advantages such as shorter reaction time, high yield, avoidance of using harmful organic solvents during the reaction and tolerance of a wide range of functional groups. Molecular docking studies targeted toward the binding site of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro or Mpro) enzymes were investigated with the synthesized bis-indoles. Our study revealed that some of the synthesized compounds have potentiality to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro enzyme by interacting with key amino acid residues of the active sites via hydrophobic as well as hydrogen bonding interactions.

Catalytic Mechanism of Interfacial Water in the Cycloaddition of Quadricyclane and Diethyl Azodicarboxylate

"On-water" catalysis, the unusual activity of water molecules at the organic solvent-water interface, has been demonstrated in many organic reactions. However, the catalytic mechanism has remained unclear, largely because of the irreproducibility of the organic-water interface under the common stirring condition. Here, the interfacial area was controlled by employing adsorbed water on mesoporous silica nanoparticles as the catalyst. Reliable kinetics of the cycloaddition reaction of quadricyclane and diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) at the toluene-water interface within the nanoparticle pores were measured. Data reveal an Eley-Rideal mechanism, wherein DEAD adsorbs at the toluene-water interface via hydrogen bonds formed with interfacial water, which lower the activation energy of the cycloaddition reaction. The mechanistic insights gained and preparation of surface water in silica pores described herein may facilitate the future design of improved "on-water" catalysts.

Applied biocatalysis beyond just buffers - from aqueous to unconventional media. Options and guidelines

In nature, enzymes conventionally operate under aqueous conditions. Because of this, aqueous buffers are often the choice for reaction media when enzymes are applied in chemical synthesis. However, to meet the demands of an industrial application, due to the poor water solubility of many industrially relevant compounds, an aqueous reaction system will often not be able to provide sufficient substrate loadings. A switch to a non-aqueous solvent system can provide a solution, which is already common for lipases, but more challenging for biocatalysts from other enzyme classes. The choices in solvent types and systems, however, can be overwhelming. Furthermore, some engineering of the protein structure of biocatalyst formulation is required. In this review, a guide for those working with biocatalysts, who look for a way to increase their reaction productivity, is presented. Examples reported clearly show that bulk water is not necessarily required for biocatalytic reactions and that clever solvent systems design can support increased product concentrations thereby decreasing waste formation. Additionally, under these conditions, enzymes can also be combined in cascades with other, water-sensitive, chemical catalysts. Finally, we show that the application of non-aqueous solvents in biocatalysis can actually lead to more sustainable processes. At the hand of flowcharts, following simple questions, one can quickly find what solvent systems are viable.

Algal magnetic nickel oxide nanocatalyst in accelerated synthesis of pyridopyrimidine derivatives

This research presents a novel biological route for the biosynthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) using marine macroalgae extract as a reducing and coating agent under optimized synthesis conditions. XRD and TEM analyses revealed that phytosynthesized NiO NPs are crystalline in nature with a spherical shape having a mean particle size of 32.64 nm. TGA results indicated the presence of marine-derived organic constituents on the surface of NiO NPs. It is found that biogenic NiO NPs with BET surface area of 45.59 m²g^-1 is a highly efficient catalyst for benign one-pot preparation of pyridopyrimidine derivatives using aqueous reaction conditions. This environmentally friendly procedure takes considerable advantages of shorter reaction times, excellent product yields (up to 96%), magnetically viable nanocatalyst (7 runs), low catalyst loadings, and free toxic chemical reagents.

A Review on Recent Progress of Glycan-Based Surfactant Micelles as Nanoreactor Systems for Chemical Synthesis Applications

The nanoreactor concept and its application as a modality to carry out chemical reactions in confined and compartmentalized structures continues to receive increasing attention. Micelle-based nanoreactors derived from various classes of surfactant demonstrate outstanding potential for chemical synthesis. Polysaccharide (glycan-based) surfactants are an emerging class of biodegradable, non-toxic, and sustainable alternatives over conventional surfactant systems. The unique structure of glycan-based surfactants and their micellar structures provide a nanoenvironment that differs from that of the bulk solution, and supported by chemical reactions with uniquely different reaction rates and mechanisms. In this review, the aggregation of glycan-based surfactants to afford micelles and their utility for the synthesis of selected classes of reactions by the nanoreactor technique is discussed. Glycan-based surfactants are ecofriendly and promising surfactants over conventional synthetic analogues. This contribution aims to highlight recent developments in the field of glycan-based surfactants that are relevant to nanoreactors, along with future opportunities for research. In turn, coverage of research for glycan-based surfactants in nanoreactor assemblies with tailored volume and functionality is anticipated to motivate advanced research for the synthesis of diverse chemical species.

Tailoring Particle-Enzyme Nanoconjugates for Biocatalysis at the Organic-Organic Interface

Nonaqueous Pickering emulsions (PEs) are a powerful platform for catalysis design, offering both a large interface contact and a preferable environment for water-sensitive synthesis. However, up to now, little progress has been made to incorporate insoluble enzymes into the nonaqueous system for biotransformation. Herein, we present biocatalytically active nonaqueous PEs, stabilized by particle-enzyme nanoconjugates, for the fast transesterification and esterification, and eventually for biodiesel synthesis. Our nanoconjugates are the hybrid biocatalysts tailor-made by loading hydrophilic Candida antarctica lipase B onto hydrophobic silica nanoparticles, resulting in not only catalytically active but highly amphiphilic particles for stabilization of a methanol-decane emulsion. The enzyme activity in these PEs is significantly enhanced, ca. 375-fold higher than in the nonaqueous biphasic control. Moreover, the PEs can be multiply reused without significant loss of enzyme performance. With this proof-of-concept, this system can be expanded for many advanced syntheses using different enzymes in the future.

Amphiphilic Polymeric Nanoparticles for Photoredox Catalysis in Water

Photoredox catalysis has recently emerged as a powerful synthesis tool in organic and polymer chemistry. In contrast to the great achievements realized in organic solvents, performing photocatalytic processes efficiently in aqueous media encounters several challenges. Here, it is presented how amphiphilic single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) can be utilized as small reactors to conduct light-driven chemical reactions in water. By incorporating a phenothiazine (PTH) catalyst into the polymeric scaffold, metal-free reduction and C-C cross-coupling reactions can be carried out upon exposure to UV light under ambient conditions. The versatility of this approach is underlined by a large substrate scope, tolerance towards oxygen, and excellent recyclability. This approach thereby contributes to a sustainable and green way of implementing photoredox catalysis.

Molecular reactions at aqueous interfaces

This Review aims to critically analyse the emerging field of chemical reactivity at aqueous interfaces. The subject has evolved rapidly since the discovery of the so-called 'on-water catalysis', alluding to the dramatic acceleration of reactions at the surface of water or at its interface with hydrophobic media. We review critical experimental studies in the fields of atmospheric and synthetic organic chemistry, as well as related research exploring the origins of life, to showcase the importance of this phenomenon. The physico-chemical aspects of these processes, such as the structure, dynamics and thermodynamics of adsorption and solvation processes at aqueous interfaces, are also discussed. We also present the basic theories intended to explain interface catalysis, followed by the results of advanced ab initio molecular-dynamics simulations. Although some topics addressed here have already been the focus of previous reviews, we aim at highlighting their interconnection across diverse disciplines, providing a common perspective that would help us to identify the most fundamental issues still incompletely understood in this fast-moving field.

NaCl as Catalyst and Water as Solvent: Highly E-Selective Olefination of Methyl Substituted N-Heteroarenes with Benzyl Amines and Alcohols

Oxidative coupling of benzylamines and alcohols with methyl substituted N-heteroarenes such as quinolines and quinoxalines has been achieved using chloride, a sea abundant anion as the catalyst for practical synthesis of a wide range of E-disubstituted olefins in aqueous medium. Detailed mechanistic studies and control experiments were carried out to deduce the reaction mechanism which indicated that in situ formed ClO₂^- is the active form of the catalyst. We have successfully carried out a 1 g scale reaction using this methodology, and five pharmaceutically relevant conjugated olefins were also synthesized by this method in moderate to good yields.

Applications of Micelles in Catalyzing Organic Reactions

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Micellar chemistry is gaining considerable interest among organic chemists because these reactions are carried out in environmentally benign solvents like water. Owing to the exhaustive use of toxic solvents in carrying out the different chemical reactions, there is a pressing need for alternative approaches either environmental friendly or having minimum impact on the environment. In this article, we aim to discuss the various aspects of micellar chemistry viz-a-viz its role in guiding the chemical reactions. Micelles help to drive various kinds of organic reactions including oxidations, reductions, carbon-carbon bond formation, carbon-heteroatom bond formation, multi-component reactions, Pd-coupling reaction, olefin metathesis reaction, Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction, etc. in water.

Concentrated solar radiation as a renewable heat source for a preparative-scale and solvent-free Biginelli reaction

Highly sustainable, economical, and faster Biginelli reaction has been established using concentrated solar radiation.

The base-free van Leusen reaction of cyclic imines on water: synthesis of N-fused imidazo 6,11-dihydro β-carboline derivatives

Construction of imidazoles has been demonstrated on water under base-free conditions. The reaction of dihydro β-carboline imines and p-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanides furnished the corresponding substituted N-fused imidazo 6,11-dihydro β-carboline derivatives in very good yields under ambient conditions. The use of deuterium oxide (D2O) as a solvent enabled the incorporation of deuterium isotopes in the imidazole ring.

A new, substituted palladacycle for ppm level Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross couplings in water

A newly engineered palladacycle that contains substituents on the biphenyl rings along with the ligand HandaPhos is especially well-matched to an aqueous micellar medium, enabling valued Suzuki-Miyaura couplings to be run not only in water under mild conditions, but at 300 ppm of Pd catalyst. This general methodology has been applied to several targets in the pharmaceutical area. Multiple recyclings of the aqueous reaction mixture involving both the same as well as different coupling partners is demonstrated. Low temperature microscopy (cryo-TEM) indicates the nature and size of the particles acting as nanoreactors. Importantly, given the low loadings of Pd invested per reaction, ICP-MS analyses of residual palladium in the products shows levels to be expected that are well within FDA allowable limits.

Micelle-Enabled One-Pot Guanidine Synthesis in Water Directly from Isothiocyanate using Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents under Mild Conditions

In this work, we developed a one-pot synthesis of guanidine directly from isothiocyanate using DIB (diacetoxyiodobenzene) as a desulfurizing agent under micellar conditions in water. Our optimization study revealed that the use of 1 % TPGS-750-M as a surfactant with NaOH as an additive base at room temperature can convert a variety of isothiocyanates and amines into corresponding guanidines in excellent yields (69-95 %). This synthetic process in water can be applied to prepare guanidine at gram-scale quantity. Our aqueous micellar medium also demonstrated high reusability as the reaction can be performed for several cycles without losing its efficiency. The reaction is metal-free, utilizes water as solvent and practical (room temperature and open flask).

Promoting Effect of Crystal Water Leading to Catalyst-Free Synthesis of Heteroaryl Thioether from Heteroaryl Chloride, Sodium Thiosulfate Pentahydrate, and Alcohol

It is observed the crystal water in sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate (Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O) can promote its multicomponent reaction with heteroaryl chlorides and alcohols, providing a facile, green, and specific synthesis of unsymmetrical heteroaryl thioethers via one-step formation of two C-S bonds under catalyst-, additive-, and solvent-free conditions. Mechanistic studies suggest that the crystal water in Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O is crucial in generating the key thiol intermediates and byproduct NaHSO₄, which then catalyzes the dehydrative substitution of alcohols with thiols to afford thioethers.