Synthesis and Applications of Carbohydrate-Based Organocatalysts

Organocatalysis is a very useful tool for the asymmetric synthesis of biologically or pharmacologically active compounds because it avoids the use of noxious metals, which are difficult to eliminate from the target products. Moreover, in many cases, the organocatalysed reactions can be performed in benign solvents and do not require anhydrous conditions. It is well-known that most of the above-mentioned reactions are promoted by a simple aminoacid, l-proline, or, to a lesser extent, by the more complex cinchona alkaloids. However, during the past three decades, other enantiopure natural compounds, the carbohydrates, have been employed as organocatalysts. In the present exhaustive review, the detailed preparation of all the sugar-based organocatalysts as well as their catalytic properties are described.

DMAP-catalyzed Efficient and Convenient Approach for the Synthesis of 3,3′-(Arylmethylene)bis(2-Hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-Dione) Derivatives

For the first time the 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) catalyzed straightforward and efficient procedure has been developed for the synthesis of 3,3′-(arylmethylene) bis(2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione) derivatives starting from lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) and a variety of (hetero)aromatic aldehydes in ethanol under microwave irradiation. Three of nine synthesized compounds are new. This method provides notable advantages over existing procedures including use of non-traditional basic catalyst and environmentally benign solvent, mild reaction conditions, excellent yields, short reaction time and simple workup.

A highly efficient and green protocol for the synthesis of 3,3′-(arylmethylene)-bis(2-hydroxynaphthoquinone) derivatives catalyzed by a dicationic molten salt

A highly efficient and green protocol for the synthesis of 3,3′-(arylmethylene)-bis(2-hydroxynaphthoquinone) {3,3′-(arylmethylene)-bis(2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione)} derivatives has been developed. The reaction of 2-hydroxynaphthoquinone (2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione) (2 eq.) and arylaldehydes (1 eq.) in the presence of the dicationic molten salt N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediaminium bis-hydrogensulfate ([TMEDAH2][HSO4]2) under solvent-free conditions afforded the mentioned compounds in high yields and relatively short reaction times.

Valorization of Waste: Sustainable Organocatalysts from Renewable Resources

One of the greatest challenges facing our society is to reconcile our need to develop efficient and sophisticated chemical processes with the limited resources of our planet and its restricted ability to adsorb pollution. Organocatalysis has allowed many issues to be addressed in the development of sophisticated, but less polluting, processes. However, minimizing waste also means an efficient utilization of raw and renewable materials. Waste biomass represents an alternative to conventional petroleum-based chemical manufacturing and is a highly attractive renewable resource for the production of chemicals and high-value-added organocatalysts. Recent achievements in the use of renewable biomass feedstocks for the synthesis of organocatalysts are presented. Their application in synthetic methodologies, including multicomponent reactions, which are performed under solvent-free conditions or in eco-friendly reaction media, as well as recycling and reusing the organocatalysts, is illustrated. A few pioneering examples that demonstrate the potential of these promoters in asymmetric synthesis have also been documented. In particular, this review covers examples on the use of hetero- and homogeneous organocatalysts derived from 1) waste biopolymers, such as chitosan, alginic acid, and cellulose; ii) renewable platform molecules, such as levoglucosenone, isosorbide, mannose, d-glucosamine, and lecithin; 3) terpenes and rosin, such as pinane, isosteviol, and abietic acid; and iv) natural proteins (gelatin, bovine tendons, silk fibroin proteins).

Synthesis and electrochromic behavior of a multi-electron redox-active N-heteroheptacenequinone

We report a novel N-heteroheptacenequinone derivative (C6OAHCQ) as a large π-conjugated framework. C6OAHCQ shows good electron-accepting behaviour owing to eight electron-deficient imino-N atoms and two carbonyl moieties and excellent solubility in common organic solvents. When a potential between 0 and -2.20 V is applied, C6OAHCQ is able to accept four electrons, which is more than fullerene C60 (three electrons) could accept in this voltage range. Moreover, a solution of C6OAHCQ and nBu4NPF6 in CH2Cl2 exhibits a clearly reversible brown-to-green colour change, suggesting that C6OAHCQ has potential as an electrochromic material.