Unveiling the Untapped Potential of Bertagnini's Salts in Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Quinazolinones

Microwave-assisted organic synthesis (MAOS) has emerged as a transformative technique in organic chemistry, significantly enhancing the speed, efficiency, and selectivity of chemical reactions. In our research, we have employed microwave irradiation to expedite the synthesis of quinazolinones, using water as an eco-friendly solvent and thereby adhering to the principles of green chemistry. Notably, the purification of the product was achieved without the need for column chromatography, thus streamlining the process. A key innovation in our approach is using aldehyde bisulfite adducts (Bertagnini's salts) as solid surrogates of aldehydes. Bertagnini's salts offer several advantages over free aldehydes, including enhanced stability, easier purification, and improved reactivity. Green metrics and Eco-Scale score calculations confirmed the sustainability of this approach, indicating a reduction in waste generation and enhanced sustainability outcomes. This methodology facilitates the synthesis of a diverse array of compounds, offering substantial contributions to the field, with potential for widespread applications in pharmaceutical research and beyond.

Mechanochemistry for Healthcare: Revealing the Nitroso Derivatives Genesis in the Solid State

Nitroso derivatives with unique characteristics have been extensively studied in various fields, including biology and clinical research. Although there has been substantial investigation of "nitrosable" components in many drugs and commonly consumed nutrients, there is still a need for a higher awareness about their formation and characterization. This study demonstrates how these derivatives can be produced through a mechanochemical procedure under solid-state conditions. The results include synthesizing previously unknown compounds with potential biological and pharmaceutical applications, such as a nitrosamine derived from a Diclofenac-like structure.

Visible Light-Promoted Oxidative Cross-Coupling of Alcohols to Esters

Ester is one of the most significant functional groups in organic chemistry and is enclosed in several valued molecules. Usually, esters are prepared through the acid-catalyzed esterification reaction of carboxylic acids with alcohols, transesterification of esters with alcohols, or via activation of carboxylic acids followed by the addition of alcohols. However, these procedures typically imply the excess use of reactants and harsh reaction conditions. Visible light-mediated photoreactions have been disclosed to display a safe, sustainable, and accessible alternative to traditional methods, and to lead new reactivity modes in organic procedures. In this context, we propose a transition metal-based and organic-based photocatalyst-free synthesis of esters from alcohols induced by visible light. The methodology can be carried out using sunlight or artificial visible light as a solar simulator or a blue LED source.

N-Alkylation of aromatic amines with alcohols by using a commercially available Ru complex under mild conditions

An N-alkylation procedure has been developed under very mild conditions using a known commercially available Ru-based catalyst. As a result, a wide range of aromatic primary amines has been selectively alkylated with several primary alcohols, yielding the corresponding secondary amines in high yields. The methodology also enables the methylation of anilines in refluxing methanol and the preparation of a set of heterocycles in a straightforward way.

Green metrics in mechanochemistry

The development of new green methodologies and their broader adoption for promoting sustainable development in chemistry laboratories and industry play a significant role in society, due to the economic importance of chemistry and its widespread presence in everyday life. Therefore, a sustainable approach to chemistry contributes to the well-being of the worldwide population and complies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the European Green Deal. The review highlights how batch and continuous mechanochemical methods are an eco-friendly approach for organic synthesis, with a lower environmental footprint in most cases, compared to solution-based procedures. The assessment is objectively based on the use of green metrics (e.g., atom and real atom economy, E-factor, process mass intensity, material parameter recovery, Eco-scale, stoichiometric factor, etc.) and indicators (e.g. DOZN tool and life cycle assessment, LCA, studies) applied to organic transformations such as synthesis of the amide bond, carbamates, heterocycles, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), porphyrins, porous organic polymers (POPs), metal- or acid-catalysed processes, multicomponent and condensation reactions, rearrangements, etc. The generalized absence of bulk solvents, the precise control over the stoichiometry (i.e., using agents in a stoichiometrically rather than in excess), and the more selective reactions enabling simplified work-up procedures are the distinctive factors, marking the superiority of mechanochemical processes over solution-based chemistry.

Mechanochemistry Frees Thiourea Dioxide (TDO) from the 'Veils' of Solvent, Exposing All Its Reactivity

The synthesis of nitrogen-based heterocycles has always been considered essential in developing pharmaceuticals in medicine and agriculture. This explains why various synthetic approaches have been proposed in recent decades. However performing as methods, they often imply harsh conditions or the employment of toxic solvents and dangerous reagents. Mechanochemistry is undoubtedly one of the most promising technologies currently used for reducing any possible environmental impact, addressing the worldwide interest in counteracting environmental pollution. Following this line, we propose a new mechanochemical protocol for synthesizing various heterocyclic classes by exploiting thiourea dioxide (TDO)'s reducing proprieties and electrophilic nature. Simultaneously exploiting the low cost of a component of the textile industry such as TDO and all the advantages brought by a green technique such as mechanochemistry, we plot a route towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly methodology for preparing heterocyclic moieties.

Mechanochemical effects underlying the mechanically activated catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide

In this work, we highlight and measure the intensity of mechanochemical effects at work in the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide by comparing the activity of a supported Co-Fe catalyst subjected, respectively, to ball milling and simple powder agitation. Paying due regard to the discontinuous nature of ball milling, we show that mechanochemical hydrogenation proceeds at significantly higher rate and disclose its connection with individual impacts. Experimental evidence suggests that the enhanced catalytic activity we observe can be ascribed to local processes affecting the amount of powder that gets involved in individual impacts.

From amines to (form)amides: a simple and successful mechanochemical approach

Two easily accessible routes for preparing an array of formylated and acetylated amines under mechanochemical conditions are presented. The two methodologies exhibit complementary features as they enable the derivatization of aliphatic and aromatic amines.

Mechanochemistry: New Tools to Navigate the Uncharted Territory of "Impossible" Reactions

Mechanochemical transformations have made chemists enter unknown territories, forcing a different chemistry perspective. While questioning or revisiting familiar concepts belonging to solution chemistry, mechanochemistry has broken new ground, especially in the panorama of organic synthesis. Not only does it foster new "thinking outside the box", but it also has opened new reaction paths, allowing to overcome the weaknesses of traditional chemistry exactly where the use of well-established solution-based methodologies rules out progress. In this Review, the reader is introduced to an intriguing research subject not yet fully explored and waiting for improved understanding. Indeed, the study is mainly focused on organic transformations that, although impossible in solution, become possible under mechanochemical processing conditions, simultaneously entailing innovation and expanding the chemical space.

A trustworthy mechanochemical route to isocyanides

Isocyanides are hardly produced, dramatically sensitive to purification processes, and complex to handle as synthetic tools. Notwithstanding, they represent one of the most refined and valuable compounds for accessing sophisticated and elegant synthetic routes. A unique interest has always been addressed to their production, though their synthetic pathways usually involve employing strong conditions and toxic reagents. The current paper intends to provide a conceptually innovative synthetic protocol for mechanochemical isocyanide preparation, simultaneously lowering the related reagents' toxicity and improving their purification in a straightforward procedure.

Chemical effects induced by the mechanical processing of granite powder

Starting from 1970s, the use of mechanical forces to induce chemical transformations has radically changed vast areas of metallurgy and materials science. More recently, mechanochemistry has expanded to core sectors of chemistry, showing the promise to deeply innovate chemical industry while enhancing its sustainability and competitiveness. We are still far, however, from unveiling the full potential of mechanical activation. This study marks a step forward in this direction focusing on the chemical effects induced on the surrounding gaseous phase by the mechanical processing of granite. We show that fracturing granite blocks in oxygen can result in the generation of ozone. The refinement of coarse granite particles and the friction between fine ones are also effective in this regard. Combining experimental evidence related to the crushing of large granite samples by uniaxial compression and the ball milling of coarse and fine granite powders, we develop a model that relates mechanochemical ozone generation to the surface area effectively affected by fracture and frictional events taking place during individual impacts. We also extend the investigation to gaseous phases involving methane, oxygen, benzene and water, revealing that chemical transformations occur as well.

Appealing Renewable Materials in Green Chemistry

In just a few years, chemists have significantly changed their approach to the synthesis of organic molecules in the laboratory and industry. Researchers are encouraged to approach “greener” reagents, solvents, and methodologies, to go hand in hand with the world’s environmental matter, such as water, soil, and air pollution. The employment of plant and animal derivates that are commonly regarded as “waste material” has paved the way for the development of new green strategies. In this review, the most important innovations in this field have been highlighted, paying due attention to those materials that have played a crucial role in organic reactions: wool, silk, and feather. Moreover, we decided to focus on the other most important supports and catalysts in green syntheses, such as proteins and their derivates. Different materials have shown prominent activity in the adsorption of metals and organic dyes, which has constituted a relevant scope in the last two decades. We intend to furnish a complete screening of the application given to these materials and contribute to their potential future utilization.

Mechanochemical Preparation of Protein : hydantoin Hybrids and Their Release Properties

Mechanochemistry is a versatile methodology that can be employed both for covalent bond formation in organic synthesis as well as a mediator to allow preparation novel colloidal dispersions for drug delivery. Herein, ball-milling was employed for the solid-state preparation of fluorescent hydrophobic hydantoins, followed by the unprecedented mechanochemically-mediated complexation of hydrophobic hydantoins within hydrophilic protein β-lactoglobulin (BLG) and BLG nanofibrils (BLGNFs). These hydantoin:protein materials were in turn incorporated into hydrogels. The effect of incorporation of hydantoins into proteins, as well as the effect of protein structure, on the release properties were then investigated. The conversion of BLG to BLGNFs led to a more sustained release demonstrating that heat treatment of BLG into BLGNFs could be employed to modify release properties. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example where protein : hydantoin complexes were prepared by mechanochemical methodology and mechanochemistry was combined with self-assembly in order to prepare protein nanomaterials for drug-delivery applications. In addition, the use of the developed protein materials is not limited to delivery of drugs but can for example be employed as components of smart food (delivery of nutrients) or release systems of pesticides.

Adsorption and Release of Sulfamethizole from Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Functionalised with Triethylenetetramine

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were synthesised and functionalised with triethylenetetramine (MSN-TETA). The samples were fully characterised (transmission electron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, zeta potential and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms) and used as carriers for the adsorption of the antimicrobial drug sulphamethizole (SMZ). SMZ loading, quantified by UV-Vis spectroscopy, was higher on MSN-TETA (345.8 mg g-1) compared with bare MSN (215.4 mg g-1) even in the presence of a lower surface area (671 vs. 942 m2 g-1). The kinetics of SMZ adsorption on MSN and MSN-TETA followed a pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption isotherm is described better by a Langmuir model rather than a Temkin or Freundlich model. Release kinetics showed a burst release of SMZ from bare MSN samples (k1 = 136 h-1) in contrast to a slower release found with MSN-TETA (k1 = 3.04 h-1), suggesting attractive intermolecular interactions slow down SMZ release from MSN-TETA. In summary, the MSN surface area did not influence SMZ adsorption and release. On the contrary, the design of an effective drug delivery system must consider the intermolecular interactions between the adsorbent and the adsorbate.

Mechanochemical Rearrangements

Molecular rearrangements are a powerful tool for constructing complex structures in an atom- and step-economic manner, translating multistep transformations into an intrinsically more sustainable process. Mechanochemical molecular rearrangements become an even more appealing eco-friendly synthetic approach, especially for preparing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and natural products. Still in their infancy, rearrangements promoted by mechanochemistry represent a promising approach for chemists to merge molecular diversity and green chemistry perspectives toward more selective and efficient syntheses with a reduced environmental footprint.

Solvent-free Reactions for the Synthesis of Indolenine-based Squaraines and Croconaines: Comparison of Thermal Heating, Mechanochemical Milling, and IR Irradiation

Squaraines and croconaines are organic dyes characterized by intense absorption in the visible or near-infrared spectral regions with applications ranging from biology to material sciences. They are commonly synthesized by condensation reactions of oxocarbonic acids (squaric or croconic acid, respectively) with electron-rich aromatic compounds in high-boiling organic solvents. Here, a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally benign process was developed for the synthesis of indolenine-based squaraines and croconaines under solvent-free conditions. Protocols based on conventional thermal heating, mechanochemical milling, and IR-light activation were compared.

Coupling of mechanical deformation and reaction in mechanochemical transformations

Co-deformation and forced mixing contribute to the rate of chemical reaction between molecular solids subjected to mechanical processing.

A phenomenological kinetic equation for mechanochemical reactions involving highly deformable molecular solids

With its ability to enable solvent-free chemical reactions, mechanochemistry promises to open new and greener synthetic routes to chemical products of industrial interest. Its practical exploitation requires understanding the relationships between processing variables, powders' mechanical behaviour, and chemical reactivity. To this aim, rationalizing experimental kinetics is of paramount importance. In this work, we propose a phenomenological kinetic model that could help experimentalists to disentangle the mechanical, chemical, and statistical factors underlying mechanochemical reactions. The model takes into account the statistical nature of ball milling and relates the global kinetic curve that can be obtained experimentally to the deformation and chemical processes that occur on the mesoscopic and microscopic scales during individual impacts. We show that our model equations can satisfactorily best fit experimental datasets, providing information on the underlying mechanochemistry.

Mechanochemical Preparation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Monitored by In Situ Raman Spectroscopy

The mechanochemical preparation of silver sulfadiazine and dantrolene, two marketed active pharmaceutical ingredients, was investigated by in situ Raman spectroscopy. For the first time, the mechanochemical transformations involving highly fluorescent compounds could be studied in situ with a high-resolution Raman system combined with a unique suitable Raman probe. Moreover, the kinetic features of the mechanochemical process were examined by a mathematical model allowing to describe the chemical changes under mechanical stress. This approach is promising both to broaden the scope of Raman in situ investigations that would otherwise be impossible and for process optimization at any scale.

Surface-modified nanoerythrosomes for potential optical imaging diagnostics

Nanoerythrosomes (NERs), vesicle-like nanoparticles derived from red blood cells, represent a new and interesting vector for therapeutic molecules and imaging probes, mainly thanks to their high stability and excellent biocompatibility. Aiming to present a proof-of-concept of the use of NERs as diagnostic tools for in vitro/in vivo imaging purposes, we report here several functionalization routes to decorate the surfaces of NERs derived from bovine blood with two different fluorophores: 7-amino-4-methylcumarin and dibenzocyclooctinecyanine5.5. Notably, the fluorophores were cross-linked to the NERs surface with glutaraldehyde and, in the case of dibenzocyclooctinecyanine5.5, also using a click-chemistry route, termed strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition. The physicochemical characterization highlighted the high stability of the NERs derivatives in physiological conditions. Furthermore, the loading efficiency of the fluorophores on the NERs surface was evaluated using both UV-Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy.

Visible-Light Photoredox-Catalyzed Amidation of Benzylic Alcohols

A new photocatalyzed route to amides from alcohols and amines mediated by visible light is presented. The reaction is carried out in ethyl acetate as a solvent. Ethyl acetate can be defined a green and bio-based solvent. The starting materials such as the energy source are easily available, stable, and inexpensive. The reaction has shown to be general and high yielding.

Simple squaramide receptors for highly efficient anion binding in aqueous media and transmembrane transport

A family of acyclic squaramide receptors (L1–L5) have been synthesised with the aim to evaluate how the presence of additional H-bond donor groups on the squaramide scaffold could affect their affinity towards anions and transport ability.

Kinetics of mechanochemical transformations

To help understanding the mechanisms underlying mechanochemical transformations, we propose a kinetic model that relates macroscopic and microscopic scales while accounting for the statistical nature of the mechanical processing of powder.

Metal-free mechanochemical oxidations in Ertalyte® jars

Aimed at eliminating or at least significantly reducing the use of solvents, sodium hypochlorite pentahydrate crystals (NaOCl·5H2O) in the presence of a catalytic amount of a nitrosyl radical (TEMPO or AZADO) have been successfully used to induce mechanochemical oxidative processes on several structurally different primary and secondary alcohols. The proposed redox process is safe, inexpensive and performing effectively, especially on the macroscale. Herein, an Ertalyte® jar has been successfully used, for the first time, in a mechanochemical process.

Base-Mediated Transition-Metal-Free Dehydrative C-C and C-N Bond-Forming Reactions from Alcohols

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in using alcohols as alkylating agents for C-C and C-N bond-forming processes employing mainly TM-catalysts. Although BH-catalysis looks like a green atom economy process since water is the only by-product, it often suffers from one or more drawbacks, such as the use of expensive noble metal complexes, capricious ligands, and toxic organic solvents. Therefore, straightforward, efficient, atom economy and environmentally benign alternative protocols are desirable. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge within the published literature about dehydrative processes developed without TM-catalysts. The most recent contributions to this topic have been reviewed keeping into account the new findings reported in this area. The features, strengths, and limitations of these alcohol-based C-C and C-N bond-forming processes has also been taken into account.

Visible light-induced transformation of aldehydes to esters, carboxylic anhydrides and amides

A transition metal- and organophotocatalyst free synthesis of esters, carboxylic anhydrides and amides from aldehydes induced by visible-light has been reported.

From enabling technologies to medicinal mechanochemistry: an eco-friendly access to hydantoin-based active pharmaceutical ingredients

The sustainable preparation of hydantoin-based Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) using modern non-conventional activation methods, including mechanochemistry is herein described.

Processing and Investigation Methods in Mechanochemical Kinetics

The present work focuses on the challenges that emerge in connection with the kinetics of mechanically activated transformations. This is an important topics to comprehend to enable the full exploitation of mechanical processing in a broad spectrum of areas related to chemistry and materials science and engineering. Emerging challenges involve a number of facets regarding materials and material properties, working principles of ball mills and milling conditions, and local changes occurring in series in processed materials. Within this context, it is highly desirable to relate the nature and rate of observed mechanochemical transformations to individual collisions and then to the processes induced by mechanical stresses on the molecular scale. Hence, it is necessary to characterize the milling regimes that can establish in ball mills regarding frequency and energy of collisions, map the relationship between milling dynamics and transformation kinetics, and obtain mechanistic information through proper time-resolved investigations in situ. A few specific hints are provided in this respect.

High throughput mechanochemistry: application to parallel synthesis of benzoxazines

Mechanochemical “parallel synthesis”: processing 12 samples simultaneously allowed fast screening of the optimum reaction conditions and high throughput preparation of benzozaxine derivatives, including a fungicide.

Ball-milling and cheap reagents breathe green life into the one hundred-year-old Hofmann reaction

A very efficient mechanically activated synthesis of isocyanides directly from primary amines and without extra-solvent addition has been reported.

Mechanically induced oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones in ambient air: Revisiting TEMPO-assisted oxidations

The present work addresses the development of an eco-friendly and cost-efficient protocol for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones by mechanical processing under air. Ball milling was shown to promote the quantitative conversion of a broad set of alcohols into carbonyl compounds with no trace of an over-oxidation to carboxylic acids. The mechanochemical reaction exhibited higher yields and rates than the classical, homogeneous, TEMPO-based oxidation.

Influence of the milling parameters on the nucleophilic substitution reaction of activated β-cyclodextrins

The present work focuses on the mechanochemical preparation of industrially important β-cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives. Activated CDs have been reacted with nitrogen and sulfur nucleophiles using a planetary mill equipped with stainless steel, zirconia and glass milling tools of different sizes. It is shown that the milling frequency and the number as well as the size of the milling balls have an effect on the nucleophilic reaction.

Synthesis of Nitric Oxide Donors Derived from Piloty's Acid and Study of Their Effects on Dopamine Secretion from PC12 Cells

This study investigated the mechanisms and kinetics of nitric oxide (NO) generation by derivatives of Piloty's acid (NO-donors) under physiological conditions. In order to qualitatively and quantitatively measure NO release, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was carried out with NO spin trapping. In addition, voltammetric techniques, including cyclic voltammetry and constant potential amperometry, were used to confirm NO release from Piloty's acid and its derivatives. The resulting data showed that Piloty's acid derivatives are able to release NO under physiological conditions. In particular, electron-withdrawing substituents favoured NO generation, while electron-donor groups reduced NO generation. In vitro microdialysis, performed on PC12 cell cultures, was used to evaluate the dynamical secretion of dopamine induced by the Piloty's acid derivatives. Although all the studied molecules were able to induce DA secretion from PC12, only those with a slow release of NO have not determined an autoxidation of DA itself. These results confirm that the time-course of NO-donors decomposition and the amount of NO released play a key role in dopamine secretion and auto-oxidation. This information could drive the synthesis or the selection of compounds to use as potential drugs for the therapy of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Vibrational and optical characterization of s-triazine derivatives

The optical and electron properties of three different s-triazine derivatives are investigated to ascertain the role of the donor acceptor character in amine-triazine systems depending on the bridging radical of the ammine group. The three derivatives were obtained starting from three different ammine compounds allowing to achieve a structure with a triazine core, surrounded by three ammine group and terminated with cyano or methyl or oxy-methyl functional group. Experimental optical data were interpreted in view of the electronic insights gathered by means of density functional theory simulations on base compounds. As compared to the reference electron donating triazine core, the resulting compounds show different donor acceptor character, from electron accepting to electron donating feature. Among the analyzed derivatives, the cyano terminated ammino-triazine compound shows the most promising optical features for photonics and lighting applications.

Anhydrides from aldehydes or alcohols via oxidative cross-coupling

A novel type of oxidative cross-coupling was developed to prepare symmetrical and mixed anhydrides from aldehydes or alcohols using trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA).

Synthesis of Quinolines via a Metal-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative N-Heterocyclization

Efficient ruthenium-, rhodium-, palladium-, copper- and iridium-catalysed methodologies have been recently developed for the synthesis of quinolines by the reaction of 2-aminobenzyl alcohols with carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) or the related alcohols. The reaction is assumed to proceed via a sequence involving initial metal-catalysed oxidation of 2-aminobenzyl alcohols to the related 2-aminobenzaldehydes, followed by cross aldol reaction with a carbonyl compound under basic conditions to afford α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. These aldehydes or ketones can be also generated in situ via dehydrogenation of the related primary and secondary alcohols. In the final step cyclodehydration of the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound intermediates gives quinolines. Good yields of quinolines were also obtained by reacting 2-nitrobenzyl alcohols and secondary alcohols in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst. Finally, aniline derivatives afforded also a useful access to quinolines by the reaction with 1,3-propanediol or 3-amino-1-propanol, or in a three-component reaction with benzyl alcohol and aliphatic alcohols.

A telescopic one-pot synthesis of β-lactam rings using amines as a convenient source of imines

A facile synthetic approach to substituted β-lactams was designed, using secondary benzylic amines and acid chlorides as starting materials. The reactions proceeded smoothly and all the products were obtained in good yields.

Synthesis of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes based on a one-pot phase-switch dehydrogenative cross-coupling of primary alcohols

An efficient one-pot ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogen-transfer strategy for a direct access to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The employment of enolates prepared in situ from alcohols avoided handling unstable aldehydes and provided a very appealing route to different cinnamaldehydes substituted in position 2. A silica-grafted amine was used as phase-switch tag leading to a selective one-pot process in favor of cross-dehydrogenative coupling products.