In Melting Points We Trust: A Review on the Misguiding Characterization of Multicomponent Reactions Adducts and Intermediates

We discuss herein the problems associated with using melting points to characterize multicomponent reactions’ (MCRs) products and intermediates. Although surprising, it is not rare to find articles in which these MCRs final adducts (or their intermediates) are characterized solely by comparing melting points with those available from other reports. A brief survey among specialized articles highlights serious and obvious problems with this practice since, for instance, cases are found in which as many as 25 quite contrasting melting points have been attributed to the very same MCR adduct. Indeed, it seems logical to assume that the inherent non-confirmatory nature of melting points could be vastly misleading as a protocol for structural confirmation, but still many publications (also in the Q1 and Q2 quartiles) insist on using it. This procedure contradicts best practices in organic synthesis, and articles fraught with limitations and misleading conclusions have been published in the MCRs field. The drawbacks inherent to this practice are indeed serious and have misguided MCRs advances. We therefore suggest some precautions aimed at avoiding future confusions.

Synthesis of SrCO3 nanoparticles supported on montmorillonite as efficient catalyst in preparation of α, ά-bis(substituted benzylidene)cycloalkanones

Abstract:

In the present study, the SrCO3@montmorillonite nanocomposite was synthesized by loading Sr(NO3)2 on natural bentonite using a controlled and facile microwave method. The SrCO3@montmorillonite nanoparticles characteristics are identified using advanced techniques such as infrared spectroscopy (IR), energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and pore size distribution analysis. Crossed-aldol condensation of an aromatic aldehyde with cycloalkanone in the presence of these nanoparticles produced α, ά-bis(substituted-benzylidene) cycloalkanones in good yields without using any solvent. The present method is operationally simple and dosed not use organic solvent, which makes the process environmentally benign.

Synthesis and Photodimerization of 2- and 2,3-Disubstituted Anthracenes: Influence of Steric Interactions and London Dispersion on Diastereoselectivity

There is increased evidence that the effect of bulky groups in organic, organometallic, and inorganic chemistry is not only repulsive but can be attractive because of London dispersion interactions. The influence of the size of primary alkyl substituents in 2- and 2,3-positions of anthracenes on the diastereoselectivity (anti vs syn dimer) of the [π_4s + π_4s] photoinduced dimerization is investigated. The synthesis of the anthracene derivatives was achieved by Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of 2,3-dibromoanthracene with alkylboronic acids as well as by reduction of anthraquinones that were obtained from 2,3-disubstituted 1,3-butadienes and naphthoquinone followed by dehydrogenation. The mixtures of dianthracene isomers were analyzed with respect to the anti/syn-ratio of the products by X-ray crystallography and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy. While for the 2,3-dimethylanthracene the anti and syn isomers were formed in equal amounts, the anti dimers are the major products in all other cases. A linear correlation (R² = 0.98) between the steric size (Charton parameter) and the isomeric ratio suggests that the selectivity is dominated by classical repulsive steric effects. An exception is the iso-butyl substituent that produces an increased amount of the syn isomer. It is suggested that this is due to an exalted effect of London dispersion interactions.

Synthesis, spectroscopic investigations (X-ray, NMR and TD-DFT), antimicrobial activity and molecular docking of 2,6-bis(hydroxy(phenyl)methyl)cyclohexanone

The synthesis of 2,6-bis(hydroxy(phenyl)methyl)cyclohexanone 1 is described. The molecular structure of the title compound 1 was confirmed by NMR, FT-IR, MS, CHN microanalysis, and X-ray crystallography. The molecular structure was also investigated by a set of computational studies and found to be in good agreement with the experimental data obtained from the various spectrophotometric techniques. The antimicrobial activity and molecular docking of the synthesized compound was investigated.

An efficient and selective microwave-assisted Claisen-Schmidt reaction for the synthesis of functionalized benzalacetones

A simple and direct method for the Claisen-Schmidt reaction to prepare functionalized α,β-unsaturated ketones has been developed. Microwave irradiation of aldehydes with acetone produces benzalacetones selectively without self-condensation product in very short reaction times and good yields. Graphical AbstractGraphics for use in the Table of Contents.

Melamine trisulfonic acid (MTSA): an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst in green organic synthesis

Melamine trisulfonic acid (MTSA) as a highly efficient heterogeneous solid acid catalyst catalyzes various organic transformations.

A facile solvent free Claisen-Schmidt reaction: synthesis of α,α'-bis-(substituted-benzylidene)cycloalkanones and α,α'-bis-(substituted-alkylidene)cycloalkanones

Solvent-free Claisen-Schmidt reactions of cycloalkanones with various substituted benzaldehydes (aryl aldehydes) using solid NaOH (20 mol%) and applying a grinding technique were studied. Quantitative yields (96-98%) of α,α'-bis-(substituted-benzylidene)cycloalkanones were obtained. Aliphatic aldehydes also provided α,α'-bis-(substituted-alkylidene)cycloalkanones in very good yields with minor amounts of a-(substituted-alkylidene)cycloalkanones. The catalytic performance of solid NaOH was examined. The molar ratio of NaOH was optimized. The catalytic effect of solid NaOH was also evaluated by comparing it with KOH, NaOAc, and NH(4)OAc and it turns out that 20 mol% of solid NaOH was good enough to catalyze the Claisen-Schmidt reactions of cycloalkanones with various substituted benzaldehydes. Additionally, the regioselectivity of the Claisen-Schmidt reaction of acetone with benzaldehyde was examined. Using the same method, we could synthesize the corresponding bis-benzylidene- and mono-benzylideneacetone separately in 98% and 96% yields, respectively.

Synthesis of the pyridinyl analogues of dibenzylideneacetone (pyr-dba) via an improved Claisen-Schmidt condensation, displaying diverse biological activities as curcumin analogues

An efficient and easy procedure to synthesize the pyridinyl analogues of dibenzylideneacetone (pyr-dba) was developed by the condensation of substituted nicotinaldehyde and acetone in the presence of K(2)CO(3) in toluene-EtOH-H(2)O solvent system. Structurally diverse pyr-dba, including quinolinyl dba, can be prepared conveniently in moderate to excellent yields under mild conditions with this method. The resulting pyr-dba functioned as the enone analogs of curcumin and efficiently inhibited the activation of NF-κB and the growth of colorectal carcinoma HCT116 p53+/+ cells as well as the HIV-1 IN-LEDGF/p75 interaction.

pi-Acidic alkene ligand effects in Pd-catalysed cross-coupling processes: exploiting the interaction of dibenzylidene acetone (dba) and related ligands with Pd(0) and Pd(II)

pi-Acidic alkene (olefin) ligands positively influence Pd-catalysed cross-coupling processes, interacting with both palladium(0) and palladium(ii) species, in some cases stabilising key catalytic intermediates. Rates of oxidative addition and reductive elimination are both affected. In certain cases, beta-hydrogen elimination can be slowed down by pi-acidic alkenes, which opens up new reaction pathways (e.g. interception of sigma-alkylpalladium(ii) species by appropriate nucleophiles). pi-Acidic alkene ligands can act independently or in a synergistic fashion with another two-electron donor ligand (e.g. amine, phosphine or N-heterocyclic carbene). The purpose of this perspective article is to highlight the impressive results that can be obtained using pi-acidic alkene ligands, with a particular focus on dibenzylidene acetone (dba) derivatives. Other types of alkene ligands, e.g. macrocyclic alkenes, are also discussed.

Expedient Lewis Acid Catalyzed Synthesis of a 3-Substituted 5-Arylidene-1-methyl-2-thiohydantoin Library

An efficient and rapid solution phase combinatorial synthesis of a 3-substituted 5-arylidene-1-methyl-2-thiohydantoin library was developed. The salient feature for this library production procedure is the addition of the Lewis acid catalyst, indium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate, which serves to facilitate the direct condensation of aldehydes with 3-substituted 1-methyl-2-thiohydantoins. Use of this Lewis acid catalyst has resulted in faster reaction times, higher conversions and better purity profiles for these condensation reactions as compared to traditional uncatalyzed reactions. The resulting 315 member library of 3-substituted 5-arylidene-1-methyl-2-thiohydantoin is described.

Synthesis of α,α′-bis(R-benzylidene)cycloalkanones catalyzed by potassium hydrogen sulfate under solvent-free conditions

Cyclopentanone or cyclohexanone were condensed with aromatic aldehydes to give corresponding α,α′-bis(R-benzylidene)cyclopentanones or α,α′-bis(R-benzylidene)cyclohexanones. The reaction was catalyzed by potassium hydrogen sulfate with a yield of 84–95% under solvent-free conditions.