Continuous-Flow Hydrogenation of Nitroaromatics in Microreactor with Mesoporous Pd@SBA-15

The hydrogenation of nitroaromatics to prepare aromatic amines plays a crucial role in the chemical industry. Traditional hydrogenation has the risk of hydrogen leakage from the equipment, and its catalyst has the disadvantage of being easily deactivated and difficult to recover. In this study, we designed an efficient and stable mesoporous catalyst, Pd@SBA-15, which was constructed by impregnating the nanopores of the mesoporous material SBA-15 with palladium nanoparticles. The catalyst was then filled in a micro-packed-bed reactor (MPBR) for continuous flow hydrogenation. The designed continuous flow hydrogenation system has two distinctive features. First, we used mesoporous Pd@SBA-15 instead of the traditional bulk Pd/C as the hydrogenation catalyst, which is more suitable for exposing the active sites of metal Pd and reducing the agglomeration of nanometals. The highly ordered porous structure enhances hydrogen adsorption and thus hydrogenation efficiency. Secondly, the continuous flow system allows for precise detection and control of the reaction process. The highly efficient catalysts do not require complex post-treatment recovery, which continues to operate for 24 h with barely any reduction in activity. Due to the high catalytic activity, the designed mesoporous Pd@SBA-15 showed excellent catalytic performance as a hydrogenation catalyst in a continuous flow system with 99% conversion of nitroaromatics in 1 min. This work provides insights into the rational design of hydrogenation systems in the chemical industry.

Multifluorinated Aryl Azides for the Development of Improved H2 S Probes, and Fast Strain-promoted Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition and Staudinger Reactions

The development of advanced bioorthogonal reactions for detection and labeling of biomolecules is significant in chemical biology. Recently, researchers have found that multifluorinated aryl azides hold great potential for the development of improved bioorthogonal reactions. The fluorine atom can be a perfect substituent group because of its properties of excellent electronegativity and small steric hindrance. In this Minireview, we discuss recent developments of improved hydrogen sulfide (H₂ S) fluorescence probes, fast strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) and nonhydrolysis Staudinger reactions based on the use of multifluorinated aryl azides. Additionally, kinetic studies and biological applications of these reactions are also presented.

Cyclodextrin polymer networks decorated with subnanometer metal nanoparticles for high-performance low-temperature catalysis

The synthesis of support materials with suitable coordination sites and confined structures for the controlled growth of ultrasmall metal nanoparticles is of great importance in heterogeneous catalysis. Here, by rational design of a cross-linked β-cyclodextrin polymer network (CPN), various metal nanoparticles (palladium, silver, platinum, gold, and rhodium) of subnanometer size (<1 nm) and narrow size distribution are formed via a mild and facile procedure. The presence of the metal coordination sites and the network structure are key to the successful synthesis and stabilization of the ultrasmall metal nanoparticles. The as-prepared CPN, loaded with palladium nanoparticles, is used as a heterogeneous catalyst and shows outstanding catalytic performance in the hydrogenation of nitro compounds and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction under mild conditions. The CPN support works synergistically with the metal nanoparticles, achieving high catalytic activity and selectivity. In addition, the catalytic activity of the formed catalyst is controllable.

Highly Efficient and Reusable Pd/AlO(OH) Catalyzed Synthesis of Acridinedione Derivatives

Background:

Synthesis of acridinedione derivatives via one-pot multi-component approaches using highly active and reusable Pd/AlO(OH) heterogenous catalyst was studied. This process provided a convenient method to obtain various acridinediones with potential biological activities. The reactions were performed in mild conditions such as low temperature and short reaction time with desirable yields.

Methods:

Commercially available Pd/AlO(OH) nanoparticles characterized by XRD and SEM methods were afforded for the synthesis of acridinedione derivatives with high yields. Crude products were analyzed by GC and 1H NMR. The reactions were completed within 1h at 40°C by the assistance of ultrasound system.

Results:

Optimization of reaction conditions is of critical case for successful synthesis. Solvent, temperature, time and amount of catalyst were studied. At the end of the experiments, the synthesis of 1 mmol of acridinedione was optimized by using 25 mg of Pd/AlO(OH) NPs, 3 ml of DMF for 60 min at 40°C in the ultrasound system. An experimental work to check the reusability of the catalyst was also studied. Pd/Al(O)OH catalyst in the first run was higher than that of the reused catalyst in the fifth run. ICP-OES analyses showed palladium leaching into the reaction medium was only 1.1% which is negligible. Nanocatalyst employed a high activity and good reusability.

Conclusion:

A convenient and versatile method was developed for the synthesis of acridinediones in a mild condition with absolute conversion and high yield using ultrasound system in the presence of nanocatalyst.