Titanate Nanotubes-Based Heterogeneous Catalyst for Efficient Production of Biomass Derived Chemicals

The development of efficient heterogeneous catalytic system to convert plentiful biomass to renewable bio-chemicals is urgent need. Titanate nanotubes-based materials obtained from hydrothermal treatment have been reported as low-cost and efficient catalytic materials in chemical syntheses for bio-based chemicals production with interesting catalytic performance. This mini-review expressly revealed the significance and potential of using titanate nanotubes based material as sustainable and environmentally benign solid catalysts/supports for synthesis of various bio-based chemicals, including glycerol-derived solketal, jet fuel range alkanes precursors, biomass-derived esters, aldehydes, aromatic compounds and so on. From the current knowledge on titanate nanotubes-based material via hydrothermal method here summarized, the future lines of research in the field of catalysis/supports for bio-based chemicals production are outlined.

One-pot synthesis of α-aminophosphonates by yttrium-catalyzed Birum-Oleksyszyn reaction

For the first time, yttrium triflate was used as an efficient green catalyst for the synthesis of α-aminophosphonates through a one-pot three-component Birum–Oleksyszyn reaction. Under the action of this Lewis acid, enhancement of the yield and reaction chemoselectivity was provided by the achievement of an appropriate balance in the complex network of reactions.

For the first time, yttrium triflate was used as an efficient green catalyst for the synthesis of α-aminophosphonates through a one-pot three-component Birum–Oleksyszyn reaction.

A review on multicomponent reactions catalysed by zero-dimensional/one-dimensional titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterials: Promising green methodologies in organic chemistry

Heterogeneous catalysis has currently become an emerging tool for the design and development of sustainable manufacturing processes in order to obtain advanced intermediates, fine chemicals, and bioactive molecules. This field has been considered efficient and eco-friendly, as it investigates the utilization of non-hazardous metals for atom-economical reactions. Nanomaterials have created a significant impact on scientific and engineering advancements due to their tunable properties with superior performance over their massive counterparts. Due to the increased demand for heterogeneous catalysts in industries and academia, different transition metal oxides have been made into substantial nanostructures. Among them, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanomaterials have received more attention on account of their chemical stability, low cost, dual acid-base properties, good oxidation rate and refractive index. Different modifications of TiO₂ extend their applications as active catalysts or catalyst supports in diverse catalytic processes, such as photovoltaics, lithium batteries, pigments and others. One-dimensional (1-D) TiO₂ nanostructures such as nanotubes, nanowires and nanorods have achieved greater importance owing to the unique properties of improved porosity, decreased inter-crystalline contacts, large surface-to-volume ratio, superior dispersibility, amplified accessibility of hydroxyl (-OH) groups and presence of good concentrations of Brønsted/Lewis acid sites. Since the discovery, 1-D TiO₂ nanostructures have served good photocatalytic applications, but were less explored in organic transformations. While many articles and reviews have covered the applications of 0-D and 1-D TiO₂ nanostructured materials (NSMs) in photoelectrochemical reactions and solar cells, there are other interesting applications of these as well. In contrast to the conventional multi-step processes that utilise the stepwise formation of individual bonds, one-pot conversions based on multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have acquired much significance in contemporary organic synthesis. This paper presents a critical review on history, classification, design and synthetic utility of titania-based nanostructures, which could be used as robust solid-acid catalysts and catalyst supports for MCRs. Further, to put ideas into perspective, the introduction and applications of MCRs for various organic transformations have been discussed.

Nanostructured N doped TiO2 efficient stable catalyst for Kabachnik-Fields reaction under microwave irradiation

Herein, we report nitrogen-doped TiO₂ (N-TiO₂) solid-acid nanocatalysts with heterogeneous structure employed for the solvent-free synthesis of α-aminophosphonates through Kabachnik–Fields reaction. N-TiO₂ were synthesized by direct amination using triethylamine as a source of nitrogen at low temperature and optimized by varying the volume ratios of TiCl₄, methanol, water, and triethylamine, under identical conditions. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) study showed the formation of a rutile phase and the crystalline size is 10 nm. The nanostructural features of N-TiO₂ were examined by HR-TEM analysis, which showed they had rod-like morphology with a diameter of ∼7 to 10 nm. Diffuse reflectance spectra show the extended absorbance in the visible region with a narrowing in the band gap of 2.85 eV, and the high resolution XPS spectrum of the N 1s region confirmed successful doping of N in the TiO₂ lattice. More significantly, we found that as-synthesized N-TiO₂ showed significantly higher catalytic activity than commercially available TiO₂ for the synthesis of a novel series of α-amino phosphonates via Kabachnik–Fields reaction under microwave irradiation conditions. The improved catalytic activity is due to the presence of strong and Bronsted acid sites on a porous nanorod surface. This work signifies N-TiO₂ is an efficient stable catalyst for the synthesis of α-aminophosphonate derivatives.

Herein, we report nitrogen-doped TiO₂ (N-TiO₂) solid-acid nanocatalysts with heterogeneous structure employed for the solvent-free synthesis of α-aminophosphonates through Kabachnik–Fields reaction.

Highly-selective solvent-free catalytic isomerization of α-pinene to camphene over reusable titanate nanotubes

Titanate nanotubes, prepared by the hydrothermal reconstitution and modification with hydrochloric acid, were tested as solid acid catalysts in the isomerization of α-pinene under solvent free conditions. The results showed that titanate nanotubes have better catalytic properties than titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and the camphene was the main product for α-pinene isomerization. The effects of several reaction variables, such as reaction temperature, catalyst dosage, and reaction time, on the conversion of α-pinene and the selectivity to camphene were examined. The highest conversion was up to 97.8% with selectivity to camphene of 78.5% under the mild reaction conditions, and the catalyst also showed outstanding reusability after four runs. It is proposed that appropriate surface acidic sites and opened nanotubular structures are mainly responsible for the excellent catalytic performance of titanate nanotubes materials.

Titanate nanotubes prepared by hydrothermal reconstitution and post-modification with HCl aqueous solution were studied in α-pinene isomerization showing high selectivity to camphene.

Cu(OTf)2 loaded protonated trititanate nanotubes catalyzed reaction: a facile method for the synthesis of furo[2,3-b]quinoxalines

An efficient method is developed for the synthesis of furo[2,3-b]quinoxalines via one-pot three-component reaction of o-phenylenediamine, ethylglyoxalate and phenylacetylenes.

Catalyst-free ultrasonic-promoted multicomponent synthesis of tertiary α-amino phosphonates

A highly efficient and green protocol has been developed for the synthesis of novel tertiary α-amino phosphonates via a catalyst-free multi-component Kabachnik–Fields reaction under ultrasound irradiation.

Rapid synthesis of alkylaminophenols via the Petasis borono–Mannich reaction using protonated trititanate nanotubes as robust solid–acid catalysts

The Petasis borono–Mannich reaction was applied to the synthesis of alkylaminophenols from o-hydroxybenzaldehydes, secondary amines and boronic acids in the presence of H₂Ti₃O₇ nanotubes as reusable solid–acid catalysts.