Recent advances in the application of magnetic nanocatalysts in multicomponent reactions

Recently, the preparation and applications of magnetic nanostructures have attracted increasing attention in nanocatalysis studies, and magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) functionalized catalysts have been applied in important reactions such as Suzuki-Miyaura and Heck couplings. The modified nanocomposites demonstrate significant catalytic efficiency and excellent benefits in the context of catalyst recovery methods. This review discusses the recent modified magnetic nanocomposites in the field of catalytic applications along with the synthetic processes that are usually employed.

Cucurbit[6]uril-Supported Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles Catalyzed Green and Sustainable Synthesis of 2-Substituted Benzimidazoles via Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Coupling

A new composite, cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6])-supported magnetic nanoparticles, Fe3O4-CB[6], was synthesized via a co-precipitation method in air and fully characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and vibrating sample magnetometry techniques. It has been found to be a highly efficient, economic, and sustainable heterogeneous catalyst and has been employed for the first time for the synthesis of a series of biologically important 2-substituted benzimidazoles from various benzyl alcohols and 1,2-diaminobenzenes under solvent-free conditions via acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling to afford the corresponding products in good to excellent yields (68-94%). The magnetic nature of the nanocomposite facilitates the facile recovery of the catalyst from the reaction mixture by an external magnet. The catalyst can be reused up to five times with negligible loss in its catalytic activity. All the isolated products were characterized by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy.

Condensation-Based Methods for the C-H Bond Functionalization of Amines

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of condensation-based methods for the C-H bond functionalization of amines that feature azomethine ylides as key intermediates. These transformations are typically redox-neutral and share common attributes with classic name reactions such as the Strecker, Mannich, Friedel-Crafts, Pictet-Spengler, and Kabachnik-Fields reaction, while incorporating a redox-isomerization step. This approach provides an ideal platform to rapidly transform simple starting materials into complex amines.

The A3 Redox-Neutral C1-Alkynylation of Tetrahydroisoquinolines: A Comparative Study between Visible Light Photocatalysis and Transition-Metal Catalysis

Considering the current challenges of the A3 redox-neutral C1-alkynylation of tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs), we studied this synthetic tool under visible light photocatalysis and transition-metal catalysis in order to describe alternative reaction conditions and discuss possible improvements to this process. We demonstrated that 1-alkynylated THIQs can be readily obtained by three different approaches: iridium-based photocatalysis and copper ([CuBr(PPh3)3]) and silver (AgNO3) catalysis under mild, selective and accessible reaction conditions. Among these approaches, the copper(I)-based methodology resulted in the most robust, optimal reaction conditions for the synthesis of a series of 18 1-alkynylated THIQs in moderate to excellent yields and with high selectivity for the endo-alkynylated products. Moreover, this reaction can be accelerated by microwave irradiation (120 °C, 15 min) affording a novel library of diverse THIQs with alkyne and N-substituent moieties, from unreactive and uncommon substrates, that could be further transformed into new compounds of interest.

Recyclable Cu/C3N4 composite catalyzed AHA/A3 coupling reactions for the synthesis of propargylamines

The heterogeneous Cu/C3N4 catalyst was found to be efficient for the synthesis of propargylamines using a three-component coupling reaction of alkynes, CH2Cl2 and amines (AHA) without additional base. Moreover, the catalyst also showed highly catalytic activity in the synthesis of C1-alkynylated tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) via an A3 reaction of alkynes, aldehydes and THIQ. The Cu/C3N4-catalyzed multicomponent reactions exhibited good functional group tolerance in most examples. Furthermore, the easily prepared Cu/C3N4 catalyst could be recovered and reused conveniently over 5 times without losing catalytic activities.