Review on advancements of pyranopyrazole: synthetic routes and their medicinal applications

Pyranopyrazoles are among the most distinguished, biologically potent, and exciting scaffolds in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Synthesis and design of pyranopyrazoles using functional modifications via multicomponent reactions (MCRs) are thoroughly found in synthetic protocols by forming new C-C, C-N, and C-O bonds. This review aims to focus on the biological importance of pyranopyrazoles as well as on a diverse synthetic approach for their synthesis using various catalytic systems such as acid-catalyzed, base-catalyzed, ionic liquids and green media-catalyzed, nano-particle-catalyzed, metal oxide-supported catalysts, and silica-supported catalysts. In this review, we have summarized data on the advancements in synthesizing pyranopyrazole from the last two decades to the mid-2023 and research papers describing the importance of these scaffolds. This review will be significant for synthetic organic chemists and researchers working in organic chemistry.

Silver Natural Asphalt Sulfonate (NA-SO3Ag): Fabrication and Utilization as a New Heterogeneous, Carbonaceous, and Retrievable Nanocatalyst for C(sp2)-X (X = C, S, and Se) Bond Formation

Silver-based catalysts are valuable catalysts in various areas of the chemical industry, organic syntheses, and transformations, and from a chemical and industrial point of view, their recycling is very important. Herein, silver natural asphalt sulfonate (NA-SO3Ag) was fabricated via the grafting of Ag(I) on the surface of the solid natural asphalt sulfonate as a novel and efficient recoverable sliver nanocatalyst. Natural asphalt is one of the hydrocarbons that are found in mineral veins. The structure of NA-SO3Ag was characterized by diverse microscopic and spectroscopic techniques including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) techniques. The NA-SO3Ag nanocatalyst was utilized for C-Se and C-S bond formation via coupling reactions of aryl halides and organic disulfides/diselenides to afford a wide variety of diaryl sulfides/selenides in good to excellent yields. Additionally, the utilization of NA-SO3Ag in C-C bond formation was examined in Suzuki coupling reactions successfully. For at least 6 trials, this heterogeneous catalyst can be separated and reused without any activity reduction.

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.

Trimesic acid-functionalized chitosan: A novel and efficient multifunctional organocatalyst for green synthesis of polyhydroquinolines and acridinediones under mild conditions

Trimesic acid-functionalized chitosan (Cs/ECH-TMA) material was prepared through a simple procedure by using inexpensive and commercially available chitosan (Cs), epichlorohydrin (ECH) linker and trimesic acid (TMA). The obtained bio-based Cs/ECH-TMA material was characterized using energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The Cs/ECH-TMA material was successfully used, as a multifunctional heterogeneous and sustainable catalyst, for efficient and expeditious synthesis of medicinally important polyhydroquinoline (PHQ) and polyhydroacridinedione (PHA) scaffolds through the Hantzsch condensation in a one-pot reaction. Indeed, the heterogeneous Cs/ECH-TMA material can be considered as a synergistic multifunctional organocatalyst due to the presence of a large number of acidic active sites in its structure as well as hydrophilicity. Both PHQs and PHAs were synthesized in the presence of biodegradable heterogeneous Cs/ECH-TMA catalytic system from their corresponding substrates in EtOH under reflux conditions and high to quantitative yields. The Cs/ECH-TMA catalyst is recyclable and can be reused at least four times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.

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.

Ultrasound-Promoted preparation and application of novel bifunctional core/shell Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-APG as a robust catalyst in the expeditious synthesis of Hantzsch esters

In this work, D-(-)-α-phenylglycine (APG)-functionalized magnetic nanocatalyst (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PTS-APG) was designed and successfully prepared in order to implement the principles of green chemistry for the synthesis of polyhydroquinoline (PHQ) and 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) derivatives under ultrasonic irradiation in EtOH. After preparing of the nanocatalyst, its structure was confirmed by different spectroscopic methods or techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The performance of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PTS-APG nanomaterial, as a heterogeneous catalyst for the Hantzsch condensation, was examined under ultrasonic irradiation and various conditions. The yield of products was controlled under various conditions to reach more than 84% in just 10 min, which indicates the high performance of the nanocatalyst along with the synergistic effect of ultrasonic irradiation. The structure of the products was identified by melting point as well as FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopic methods. The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PTS-APG nanocatalyst is easily prepared from commercially available, lower toxic and thermally stable precursors through a cost-effective, highly efficient and environmentally friendly procedure. The advantages of this method include simplicity of the operation, reaction under mild conditions, the use of an environmentally benign irradiation source, obtaining pure products with high efficiency in short reaction times without using a tedious path, which all of them address important green chemistry principles. Finally, a reasonable mechanism is proposed for the preparation of polyhydroquinoline (PHQ) and 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) derivatives in the presence of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PTS-APG bifunctional magnetic nanocatalyst.

Greener design and characterization of biochar/Fe3O4@SiO2-Ag magnetic nanocomposite as efficient catalyst for synthesis of bioactive benzylpyrazolyl coumarin derivatives

The study aimed to develop an efficient catalyst, biochar/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-Ag magnetic nanocomposite, to synthesize bioactive benzylpyrazolyl coumarin derivatives through a one-pot multicomponent reaction. The catalyst was prepared using Ag nanoparticles synthesized with Lawsonia inermis leaf extract and carbon-based biochar obtained through pyrolysis of Eucalyptus globulus bark. The nanocomposite contained a silica-based interlayer, highly dispersed Ag nanoparticles, and a central magnetite core, which responded well to external fields. The biochar/Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-Ag nanocomposite showed excellent catalytic activity and could be easily recovered using an external magnet and reused five times without significant loss of performance. The resulting products were tested for antimicrobial activity and showed significant activity against various microorganisms.

Fe3O4/SiO2 decorated trimesic acid-melamine nanocomposite: a reusable supramolecular organocatalyst for efficient multicomponent synthesis of imidazole derivatives

This article describes supramolecular Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ decorated trimesic acid-melamine (Fe₃O₄/SiO₂-TMA-Me) nanocomposite that can be prepared with features that combine properties of different materials to fabricate a structurally unique hybrid material. In particular, we have focused on design, synthesis and evaluation a heterogeneous magnetic organocatalyst containing acidic functional-groups for the synthesis of biologically important imidazole derivatives in good to excellent yields. The introduced Fe₃O₄/SiO₂-TMA-Me nanomaterial was characterized by different techniques such as FTIR, XRD, EDX, FESEM, TEM, TGA and DTA. As a noteworthy point, the magnetic catalytic system can be recycled and reused for more than seven consecutive runs while its high catalytic activity remains under the optimized conditions.

Sulfamic acid grafted to cross-linked chitosan by dendritic units: a bio-based, highly efficient and heterogeneous organocatalyst for green synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazoline derivatives

In this work, novel cross-linked chitosan by the G1 dendrimer from condensation of melamine and toluene-2,4-diisocyante terminated by sulfamic acid groups (CS-TDI-Me-TDI-NHSO₃H), as a bio-based and heterogeneous acidic organocatalyst, was designed and prepared. Also, the structure of the prepared organocatalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis/derivative thermogravimetry (TGA/DTA). Subsequently, the catalytic performance of the biobased and dendritic CS-TDI-Me-TDI-NHSO₃H, as a multifunctional solid acid, was evaluated for the preparation of 2,3-dihydroquinazoline derivatives through a three-component reaction by following green chemistry principles. Some of the advantages of this new protocol include high to excellent yields and short reaction times as well as easy preparation and remarkable catalyst stability of the introduced acidic organocatalyst. The CS-TDI-Me-TDI-SO₃H catalyst can be used for up to five cycles for the preparation of quinazoline derivatives with a slight decrease in its catalytic activity.

l-Asparagine-EDTA-amide silica-coated MNPs: a highly efficient and nano-ordered multifunctional core-shell organocatalyst for green synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one compounds

In this study, new l-asparagine grafted on 3-aminopropyl-modified Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell magnetic nanoparticles using the EDTA linker (Fe3O4@SiO2-APTS-EDTA-asparagine) was prepared and its structures properly confirmed using different spectroscopic, microscopic and magnetic methods or techniques including FT-IR, EDX, XRD, FESEM, TEM, TGA and VSM. The Fe3O4@SiO2-APTS-EDTA-asparagine core-shell nanomaterial was found, as a highly efficient multifunctional and recoverable organocatalyst, to promote the efficient synthesis of a wide range of biologically-active 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one derivatives under solvent-free conditions. It was proved that Fe3O4@SiO2-APTS-EDTA-asparagine MNPs, as a catalyst having excellent thermal and magnetic stability, specific morphology and acidic sites with appropriate geometry, can activate the Biginelli reaction components. Moreover, the environmental-friendliness and nontoxic nature of the catalyst, cost effectiveness, low catalyst loading, easy separation of the catalyst from the reaction mixture and short reaction time are some of the remarkable advantages of this green protocol.

Recent Developments in Nanocatalyzed Green Synthetic Protocols of Biologically Potent Diverse O-Heterocycles—A Review

The dynamic growth in green organic synthetic methodologies for diverse heterocyclic scaffolds has substantially contributed to the field of medicinal chemistry over the last few decades. The use of hybrid metal nanocatalysts (NCs) is one such benign strategy for ensuring the advancement of modern synthetic chemistry by adhering to the principles of green chemistry, which call for a sustainable catalytic system that converts reacting species into profitable chemicals at a faster rate and tends to reduce waste generation. The metal nanoparticles (NPs) enhance the exposed surface area of the catalytic active sites, thereby making it easier for reactants and metal NCs to have an effective interaction. Several review articles have been published on the preparation of metal NCs and their uses for various catalytic heterocyclic transformations. This review will summarize different metal NCs for the efficient green synthesis of various O-heterocycles. Furthermore, the review will provide a concise overview of the role of metal NCs in the synthesis of O-heterocycles and will be extremely useful to researchers working on developing novel green and simple synthetic pathways to various O-heterocyclic-derived molecules.

A sustainable gateway to access 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthene scaffolds via a surface-engineered halloysite-based magnetically responsive catalyst

A covalently modified, surface-engineered Cu(ii)@DCH@CPTMS@MHNT nanocatalyst is synthesized, which showed incredible catalytic activity in accessing a library of xanthene scaffolds.

Catalytic Approaches to Multicomponent Reactions: A Critical Review and Perspectives on the Roles of Catalysis

In this review, we comprehensively describe catalyzed multicomponent reactions (MCRs) and the multiple roles of catalysis combined with key parameters to perform these transformations. Besides improving yields and shortening reaction times, catalysis is vital to achieving greener protocols and to furthering the MCR field of research. Considering that MCRs typically have two or more possible reaction pathways to explain the transformation, catalysis is essential for selecting a reaction route and avoiding byproduct formation. Key parameters, such as temperature, catalyst amounts and reagent quantities, were analyzed. Solvent effects, which are likely the most neglected topic in MCRs, as well as their combined roles with catalysis, are critically discussed. Stereocontrolled MCRs, rarely observed without the presence of a catalytic system, are also presented and discussed in this review. Perspectives on the use of catalytic systems for improved and greener MCRs are finally presented.

Fe3O4@chitosan-tannic acid bionanocomposite as a novel nanocatalyst for the synthesis of pyranopyrazoles

Recently magnetic nanocatalyst has attracted considerable attention because of its unique properties, including high performance, easy separation from the reaction mixture, and recyclability. In this study, a novel magnetic bionanocomposite was synthesized with chitosan and tannic acid as a natural material. The synthesized bionanocatalyst was characterized by essential analysis. Fe3O4@chitosan-tannic acid as a heterogeneous nanocatalyst was successfully applied to synthesize pyranopyrazole and its derivatives by a one-pot four-component reaction of malononitrile, ethyl acetoacetate, hydrazine hydrate, and various aromatic aldehyde. At the end of the reaction, the nanocatalyst was separated from the reaction mixture and was reused several times with no significant decrease in its catalytic performance. Simple purification of products, the ability for recovering and reusing the nanocatalyst, eco-friendliness, high yields of pure products, mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, non-toxicity, economically affordable are some of the advantages of using the fabricated nanocatalyst in the synthesis of pyranopyrazole.

Methyl linked pyrazoles: Synthetic and Medicinal Perspective

Pyrazoles, an important and well known class of the azole family, have been found to show a large number of applications in various fields specially of medicinal chemistry. Among pyrazole derivatives, particularly, methyl substituted pyrazoles have been reported as the potent medicinal scaffolds that exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities. The present review is an attempt to highlight the detailed synthetic approaches for methyl substituted pyrazoles along with in depth analysis of their respective medical significances till March2021. It is hoped that literature sum-up in the form of present review article would certainly be a great tool to assist the medicinal chemists for generating new leads possessing pyrazole nucleus with high efficacy and less microbial resistance.

Urea hydrogen peroxide-initiated synthesis of pyranopyrazoles through oxidative coupling under base- and metal-free conditions by physical grinding method

A novel multicomponent one-pot expeditious synthesis of highly functionalized and pharmaceutically fascinated pyranopyrazoles has been developed. This reaction occurs via tandem Knoevenagel condensation reaction of methyl aryl derivatives, 3-methyl pyrazolone and malononitrile in the presence of urea hydrogen peroxide under the physical grinding method. The present methodology offers several benefits such as available green and cheap starting materials, solvent-free, mild reaction conditions, high atom economy, eco-friendly standards, excellent yields and easy isolation of the products without column chromatographic separation.

Tetramethylguanidine-functionalized melamine as a multifunctional organocatalyst for the expeditious synthesis of 1,2,4-triazoloquinazolinones

Novel nano-ordered 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine-functionalized melamine (Melamine@TMG) organocatalyst was prepared and adequately identified by various techniques including FTIR, EDX, XRD and SEM spectroscopic or microscopic methods as well as TGA and DTG analytical methods. The Melamine@TMG, as an effective multifunctional organocatalyst, was found to promote smoothly the three-component synthesis of 1,2,4-triazoloquinazolinone derivatives using cyclic dimedone, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole and different benzaldehyde derivatives in EtOH at 40 °C. This practical method afforded the desired products in high to excellent yields (86-99%) and short reaction times (10-25 min). The main advantages of this new method are the use of heterogeneous multifunctional nanocatalyst, simple work-up procedure with no need for chromatographic purification, highly selective conversion of substrates and recyclability of the catalyst, which could be used in five consecutive runs with only a small decrease in its activity.

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.

Dendrons containing boric acid and 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate covalently attached to silica-coated magnetite for the expeditious synthesis of Hantzsch esters

A new multifunctional dendritic nanocatalyst containing boric acid and 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate covalently attached to core-shell silica-coated magnetite (Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-THEIC-(CH2)3OB(OH)2) was designed and properly characterized by different spectroscopic or microscopic methods as well as analytical techniques used for mesoporous materials. It was found that the combination of both aromatic π-π stacking and boron-oxygen ligand interactions affords supramolecular arrays of dendrons. Furthermore, the use of boric acid makes this dendritic catalyst a good choice, from corrosion, recyclability and cost points of view. The catalytic activity of Fe3O4@SiO2@PTS-THEIC-(CH2)3OB(OH)2, as an efficient magnetically recoverable catalyst, was investigated for the synthesis of polyhydroacridines (PHAs) as well as polyhydroquinolines (PHQs) via one-pot multicomponent reactions of dimedone and/or ethyl acetoacetate, different aldehydes and ammonium acetate in EtOH under reflux conditions. Very low loading of the catalyst, high to quantitative yields of the desired PHAs or PHQs products, short reaction times, wide scope of the substrates, eliminating any toxic heavy metals or corrosive reagents for the modification of the catalyst, and simple work-up procedure are remarkable advantages of this green protocol. An additional advantage of this magnetic nanoparticles catalyst is its ability to be separated and recycled easily from the reaction mixture with minimal efforts in six subsequent runs without significant loss of its catalytic activity. This magnetic and dendritic catalyst can be extended to new two- and three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks with different applications.