Supramolecular Cu(ii) nanoparticles supported on a functionalized chitosan containing urea and thiourea bridges as a recoverable nanocatalyst for efficient synthesis of 1H-tetrazoles

A cost-effective and convenient method for supporting of Cu(ii) nanoparticles on a modified chitosan backbone containing urea and thiourea bridges using thiosemicarbazide (TS), pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) linkers was designed. The prepared supramolecular (CS-TDI-PMDA-TS-Cu(ii)) nanocomposite was characterized by using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetry/differential thermogravimetry analysis (TGA/DTA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), EDS elemental mapping and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The obtained supramolecular CS-TDI-PMDA-TS-Cu(ii) nanomaterial was demonstrated to act as a multifunctional nanocatalyst for promoting of multicomponent cascade Knoevenagel condensation/click 1,3-dipolar azide-nitrile cycloaddition reactions very efficiently between aromatic aldehydes, sodium azide and malononitrile under solvent-free conditions and affording the corresponding (E)-2-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)-3-arylacrylenenitrile derivatives. Low catalyst loading, working under solvent-free conditions and short reaction time as well as easy preparation and recycling, and reuse of the catalyst for five consecutive cycles without considerable decrease in its catalytic efficiency make it a suitable candidate for the catalytic reactions promoted by Cu species.

Magnetic polyborate nanoparticles as a green and efficient catalyst for one-pot four-component synthesis of highly substituted imidazole derivatives

In this study, magnetic polyborate nanoparticles (MPBNPs) were prepared via a simple procedure from boric acid by using ball-milling and then characterized by various spectroscopic, microscopic and analytical methods including FT-IR, EDX, XRD, FESEM, VSM and TGA analysis. The obtained MPBNPs were further explored, as a green and highly efficient catalyst, in the multi-component synthesis of a wide range of tetra-substituted imidazoles from cascade cyclocondensation as well as in situ air oxidation of benzil or benzoin, aromatic aldehydes, primary amine and ammonium acetate in EtOH, as a green solvent, under reflux conditions. Additionally, environmentally friendly conditions for the preparation of the catalyst by the use of non-toxic reactants, facile procedure and high to excellent yields of the desired products as well as the use of a green solvent are some advantages of this new protocol.

Solar driven CO2 reduction with a molecularly engineered periodic mesoporous organosilica containing cobalt phthalocyanine

A molecular cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) catalyst has been integrated in an ethylene-bridged periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) to fabricate a hybrid material, CoPc-PMO, that catalyses CO₂ reduction to CO in a photocatalytic system using [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) as a photosensitizer and 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (BIH) as an electron donor. CoPc-PMO displays a Co-based turnover number (TON_CO) of >6000 for CO evolution with >70% CO-selectivity after 4 h irradiation with UV-filtered simulated solar light, and a quantum yield of 1.95% at 467 nm towards CO. This system demonstrates a benchmark TON_CO for immobilised CoPc-based catalysts towards visible light-driven CO₂ reduction.

Design and characterization of an urea-bridged PMO supporting Cu(II) nanoparticles as highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for synthesis of tetrazole derivatives

In this work, a new periodic mesoporous organosilica with urea-bridges produced by the reaction of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (APS-TDU-PMO) is introduced. The obtained APS-TDU-PMO was found to be an appropriate support for loading of Cu(II) nanoparticles to afford supramolecular Cu@APS-TDU-PMO nanocomposite. Uniformity and mesoporosity of both synthesized nanomaterials including APS-TDU-PMO and Cu@APS-TDU-PMO were proved by different spectroscopic, microscopic or analytical techniques including FTIR, EDX, XRD, FESEM, TEM, BET, TGA and DTA. Furthermore, the prepared Cu@APS-TDU-PMO nanomaterial was also used, as a heterogeneous and recyclable catalyst, for the synthesis of tetrazole derivatives through cascade condensation, concerted cycloaddition and tautomerization reactions. Indeed, the main advantages of this Cu@APS-TDU-PMO is its simple preparation and high catalytic activity as well as proper surface area which enable it to work under solvent-free conditions. Also, the introduced Cu@APS-TDU-PMO heterogeneous catalyst showed good stability and reusability for six consecutive runs to address more green chemistry principles.

An electrochemical tandem Michael addition, azidation and intramolecular cyclization strategy for the synthesis of imidazole derivatives

An electrochemical-oxidation-induced intramolecular annulation used for the synthesis of imidazole was developed under undivided electrolytic conditions. In an undivided cell, amines, alkynes and azides could smoothly participate in the transformation to furnish a variety of substituted imidazoles through the tandem Michael addition/azide/cycloamine reaction. The reaction could be easily handled and avoided the use of both transition metal catalysts and peroxide reagents, which is in line with the concept of green chemistry.

Synthesis of (E)-2-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)-3-phenylacrylenenitrile derivatives catalyzed by new ZnO nanoparticles embedded in a thermally stable magnetic periodic mesoporous organosilica under green conditions

ZnO nanoparticles embedded in a magnetic isocyanurate-based periodic mesoporous organosilica (Fe3O4@PMO-ICS-ZnO) were prepared through a modified environmentally-benign procedure for the first time and properly characterized by appropriate spectroscopic and analytical methods or techniques used for mesoporous materials. The new thermally stable Fe3O4@PMO-ICS-ZnO nanomaterial with proper active sites and surface area as well as uniform particle size was investigated for the synthesis of medicinally important tetrazole derivatives through cascade condensation and concerted 1,3-cycloaddition reactions as a representative of the Click Chemistry concept. The desired 5-substituted-1H-tetrazole derivatives were smoothly prepared in high to quantitative yields and good purity in EtOH under reflux conditions. Low catalyst loading, short reaction time and the use of green solvents such as EtOH and water instead of carcinogenic DMF as well as easy separation and recyclability of the catalyst for at least five consecutive runs without significant loss of its activity are notable advantages of this new protocol compared to other recent introduced procedures.

MNP-cellulose-OSO3H as an efficient and biodegradable heterogeneous catalyst for green synthesis of trisubstituted imidazoles

Cellulose is an eco-friendly, efficient, and suitable substrate for use as a coating material and support in the preparation of catalysts. Herein, MNP–cellulose–OSO₃H was prepared as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst composed of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles covered with cellulose–OSO₃H and used for the synthesis of trisubstituted imidazoles. The catalyst was characterized by FT-IR, CHNS, ICP, PXRD, EDAX, elemental mapping, SEM, TEM, zeta potential, TGA, and VSM techniques. The catalytic activity was evaluated in the one-pot three-component synthesis of trisubstituted imidazole derivatives using benzil or 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, different aldehydes, and ammonium acetate in EtOH solvent at 80 °C over 30 min. The yields of products were excellent, in the range 83–97%. The catalyst showed outstanding catalytic performance toward heating conditions and good reusability. Also, this methodology had several advantages, such as simple procedures, short reaction time, excellent yield, simple workup, and mild reaction conditions.

Cellulose is an eco-friendly, efficient, and suitable substrate for use as a coating material and support in the preparation of catalysts.

Pyromellitic diamide-diacid bridged mesoporous organosilica nanospheres with controllable morphologies: a novel PMO for the facile and expeditious synthesis of imidazole derivatives

In this work, novel pyromellitic diamide-diacid bridged mesoporous organosilica (PMAMOS) nanospheres with controllable morphologies and Brønsted acid catalytic centers were designed and prepared through a convenient method by altering the addition sequence of precursors, solvent, and aging time. The obtained PMAMOSs demonstrate high surface areas and uniform pore sizes. FESEM, HRTEM, BET, EDX, XRD, FTIR and TGA analyses were performed to characterize and examine the effective factors for the preparation of PMAMOS nanospheres. Due to the appropriate physicochemical properties including Brønsted acid centers, suitable surface area and thermal stability of the PMAMOS nanosphere material, it was explored in the three-component reaction of benzyl or benzoin, ammonium acetate, and different aldehyde derivatives as a case study of multicomponent reactions. Corresponding imidazole derivatives were obtained in EtOH under reflux conditions in high to quantitative yields and short reaction times. It was also shown that the heterogeneous solid acid can be reused at least five times with negligible loss of its catalytic activity, indicating the appropriate stability and high activity of the newly introduced mesoporous organosilica.

Supported copper on a diamide-diacid-bridged PMO: an efficient hybrid catalyst for the cascade oxidation of benzyl alcohols/Knoevenagel condensation

In this study, a novel periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) containing diamide-diacid bridges was conveniently prepared using ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride to support Cu(ii) species and affording supramolecular Cu@EDTAD-PMO nanoparticles efficiently. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) results confirmed the successful synthesis of Cu@EDTAD-PMO. The stabilized Cu(ii) nanoparticles inside the mesochannels of the new PMO provided appropriate sites for selective oxidation of different benzyl alcohol derivatives to their corresponding benzaldehydes and subsequent Knoevenagel condensation with malononitrile. Therefore, Cu@EDTAD-PMO can be considered as a multifunctional heterogeneous catalyst, which is prepared easily through a green procedure and demonstrates appropriate stability with almost no leaching of the Cu(ii) nanoparticles into the reaction medium, and easy recovery through simple filtration. The recycled Cu@EDTAD-PMO was reused up to five times without significant loss of its catalytic activity. The stability, recoverability, and reusability of the designed heterogeneous catalyst were also studied under various reaction conditions.

Sulfamic acid pyromellitic diamide-functionalized MCM-41 as a multifunctional hybrid catalyst for melting-assisted solvent-free synthesis of bioactive 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones

This study introduces a practical approach to fabricate a novel hybrid acidic catalyst, namely sulfamic acid pyromellitic diamide-functionalized MCM-41 (MCM-41-APS-PMDA-NHSO₃H). Various techniques such as FTIR, TGA, XRD, BET, FESEM, and EDX were used to confirm its structural characteristics. The efficiency of the new MCM-41-APS-PMDA-NHSO₃H organosilica nanomaterials, as a heterogenous nanocatalyst, was examined in the synthesis of biologically active 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-one derivatives under solvent-free conditions. It was found that the nanoporous MCM-41-APS-PMDA-NHSO₃H, demonstrating acidic nature and high surface area, can activate all the Biginelli reaction components to afford desired 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-(1H)-ones under solvent-free conditions in short reaction time. Furthermore, easy and quick isolation of the new introduced hybrid organosilica from the reaction mixture as well as its reusability with negligible loss of activity in at least five consecutive runs are another advantages of this green protocol.

The Isocyanurate-Carbamate-Bridged Hybrid Mesoporous Organosilica: An Exceptional Anchor for Pd Nanoparticles and a Unique Catalyst for Nitroaromatics Reduction

Hybridisation of mesoporous organosilicas (MO) to reinforce the surface capability in adsorption and stabilisation of noble metal nanoparticles is of great attention in generating/supporting noble metal within their matrices and transforming them into efficient heterogeneous catalysts. Here, we used a unique hybrid of organic-inorganic mesoporous silica in which pore profile pattern was similar to the well-known mesoporous silica, SBA-15 for catalysis. This hybrid mesoporous organosilica was further engaged as a support in the synthesis and stabilisation of Pd nanoparticles on its surface, and then, the obtained Pd-supported MO was employed as a heterogeneous green catalyst in the conversion of aqueous p-nitrophenol (PNP) to p-aminophenol (PAP) at room temperature with efficient recyclability.

Synthesis of 2-Aryl Acetophenones via Hydrobromination and Oxy-isomerization of (o-Arylethynyl)benzyl Alcohols

Hydrobromination and oxy-isomerization of (o-arylethynyl)benzyl alcohols to yield brominated aryl ketones were achieved with bromotrimethylsilane. The substrate scope suggested that vinyl carbocations, stabilized by the conjugated aryl groups, are the reaction intermediates. 1H-Isochromene was also detected by ¹H NMR, and an isolated 1H-isochromene was converted to the product when retreated with TMSBr. The formation of 1H-isochromene is equivalent to a 6-endo-dig cyclization and contrasts with the corresponding reactions under basic conditions, in which the 5-exo-dig process dominated.

Carbamate-Isocyanurate-Bridged Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica for van der Waals CO2 Capture

We synthesized a new organosiloxane bridge on the basis of an isocyanurate derivative through a simple melt-fusion approach by the reaction of 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (IPTES) with 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (THEIC). The obtained carbamate-isocyanurate-based organosiloxane bridge precursor was used for the preparation of chemo- and thermostable periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO-THEIC) on condensation with tetrathoxysilane silicon precursor through a soft-template approach. Furthermore, the synthesized PMO-THEIC with unique surface functionality was investigated for CO₂ capture. The results show that the PMO-THEIC has higher activity than pure SBA-15 for CO₂ capture due to the high affinity of carbamate functionalities embedded within the pore walls toward CO₂ molecules. The affinity of organosiloxane bridge for CO₂ molecules is mainly facilitated via the van der Waals force with carbamate functional groups rather than the isocyanurate ring, according to the density functional calculations.

Novel magnetic propylsulfonic acid-anchored isocyanurate-based periodic mesoporous organosilica (Iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO3H) as a highly efficient and reusable nanoreactor for the sustainable synthesis of imidazopyrimidine derivatives

In this study, preparation and characterization of a new magnetic propylsulfonic acid-anchored isocyanurate bridging periodic mesoporous organosilica (Iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO3H) is described. The iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO3H nanomaterials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy as well as thermogravimetric analysis, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques. Indeed, the new obtained materials are the first example of the magnetic thermally stable isocyanurate-based mesoporous organosilica solid acid. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of the Iron oxide@PMO-ICS-PrSO3H nanomaterials, as a novel and highly efficient recoverable nanoreactor, was investigated for the sustainable heteroannulation synthesis of imidazopyrimidine derivatives through the Traube-Schwarz multicomponent reaction of 2-aminobenzoimidazole, C‒H acids and diverse aromatic aldehydes. The advantages of this green protocol are low catalyst loading, high to quantitative yields, short reaction times and the catalyst recyclability for at least four consecutive runs.

Metal–organic framework mediated expeditious synthesis of benzimidazole and benzothiazole derivatives through an oxidative cyclization pathway

Herein, we report facile synthesis of various benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles by using the NH₂-MIL-125(Ti) MOF as an efficient oxidant-free heterogeneous catalyst with good yield.

New Hydrogen-Bond-Enriched 1,3,5-Tris(2-hydroxyethyl) Isocyanurate Covalently Functionalized MCM-41: An Efficient and Recoverable Hybrid Catalyst for Convenient Synthesis of Acridinedione Derivatives

A new nano-ordered 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate-1,3-propylene covalently functionalized MCM-41 (MCM-41-Pr-THEIC) was designed and prepared at room temperature through a simple procedure. According to various microscopic, spectroscopic, or thermal methods and techniques, the correlation of the catalytic performance of the hybrid mesoporous MCM-41-Pr-THEIC to its structural characteristics was fully confirmed. The new MCM-41-Pr-THEIC organosilica nanomaterials were successfully investigated as a solid mild nanocatalyst through hydrogen-bonding activation provided by its organic moiety, for the pseudo-four-component condensation of dimedone, aldehydes, and ammonium acetate or p-toluidine to afford the corresponding acridinedione derivatives under green conditions. Furthermore, the introduced nanocatalyst could be reused at least four times with negligible loss of its activity, indicating the good stability and high activity of the new hybrid organosilica.

Transition-Metal-Free Three-Component Reaction: Additive Controlled Synthesis of Sulfonylated Imidazoles

Two efficient transition-metal-free highly regioselective pathways for constructing sulfonylated imidazoles via three-component reactions of amidines, ynals, and sodium sulfonates have been developed. The generations of different sulfonylated imidazoles were simply controlled by additives. In addition, this method features environmental friendliness, good functional group tolerance, and high atom economy, which makes it practical.

Selective and highly efficient synthesis of xanthenedione or tetraketone derivatives catalyzed by ZnO nanorod-decorated graphene oxide

A new and efficient method for the pseudo three-component synthesis of diverse tetraketone or xanthenedione derivatives has been described in the presence of ZnO nanorods decorated graphene oxide.

Propylsulfonic acid-anchored isocyanurate-based periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO-ICS-Pr-SO3H): A new and highly efficient recoverable nanoporous catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives

A new propylsulfonic acid-anchored isocyanurate bridging periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO-ICS-Pr-SO₃H) was prepared and shown to be a highly efficient recyclable nanoporous catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives in good to excellent yields from indole and different aldehydes in EtOH under mild reaction conditions in short reaction times. Moreover, the nanoporous catalyst was recovered and reused at least four times without significant decrease in its catalytic activity. The PMO-ICS-Pr-SO₃H catalyst was characterizred by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms techniques as well as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Compared to the classical methodologies, this method illustrated significant advantages including low loading of the catalyst, high to excellent yields, short reaction times, avoiding the use of toxic transition metals or reactive reagents for modification of the catalytic activity, easy separation and purification of the products, and reusability of the catalyst.

1,3,5-Tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate functionalized graphene oxide: a novel and efficient nanocatalyst for the one-pot synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones

The preparation and characterization of a novel 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate functionalized graphene oxide (GO–THEIC) nanomaterial and its catalytic application for the Biginelli reaction are described.