The vital use of isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (MCR) in chemical synthesis

Multicomponent (MCRs) reactions are classified as one-pot reaction where more than two starting materials are employed to form a single product that contains the building blocks of the starting components. MCRs are considered a convenient approach in synthetic chemistry and have many advantages over the traditional one or two-component reaction, by reducing the number of sequential multiple steps required and often producing better yields. This chapter dissects the use of isocyanide-based MCRs and the elegant chemistry that they offer to build useful scaffolds in the chemical synthetic field. In addition MCRs are considered as one of the recognisable options for increasing “greenness” during the synthesis of pharmaceutical and industrial products.

Electrochemical TEMPO-Catalyzed Oxidative Ugi-Type Reaction

Oxidative isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (oxidative IMCRs) are very useful tools for the rapid construction of molecular diversity starting from readily available and stable substrates. Despite all their benefits, such multicomponent reactions are underdeveloped and strictly limited to 3-component processes. Indeed, in the presence of several reaction partners, the oxidation event needs to be rigorously chemoselective, which becomes incredibly more intricate as the number of reactive components increases. Nonetheless, we could overcome this significant pitfall and reach the first oxidative Ugi-type 4-IMCR by capitalizing on a very mild and green TEMPO-catalyzed electro-oxidation process. Employing alcohols as aldehyde surrogates and in the notable absence of any supporting electrolyte, this transformation proved to be extremely chemoselective in the presence of an amine and was compatible with a wide range of alcohols, amines, isocyanides, and carboxylic acids.

The status of isocyanide-based multi-component reactions in Iran (2010-2018)

Isocyanides as key intermediates and magic reactants have been widely applied in organic reactions for direct access to a broad spectrum of remarkable organic compounds. Although the history of these magical compounds dates back more than 100 years, it still has been drawing widespread attention of chemists who confirmed their versatility and effectiveness. Because of their wide spectrum of pharmacological, industrial and synthetic applications, many reactions with the utilization of isocyanides are reported in the literature. In this context, Iranian scientist played a significant role in the growth of isocyanides chemistry. The present review article covers literature from the period starting from 2010 onward and encompasses new synthetic routes and organic transformation involving isocyanides by Iranian researchers. During this period, a diverse range of isocyanide-based multi-component reactions (I-MCRs) has been reported such as a new modification of Ugi, post-Ugi, Passerini and Groebke-Blackburn-Bienayme condensation reactions, isocyanide-based [1 + 4] cycloaddition reactions, isocyanide-acetylene-based MCRs, isocyanide and Meldrum's acid-based MCRs, several unexpected reactions besides green mediums and novel catalytic systems for the synthesis of diverse kinds of pharmaceutically and industrially remarkable heterocyclic and linear organic compounds. This review also emphasizes the neoteric applications of I-MCR for the synthesis of valuable peptide and pseudopeptide scaffolds, enzyme immobilization and functionalization of materials with tailorable properties that can play important roles in the plethora of applications.

Facile TEMPO Immobilization onto Poly(acrylic acid)-Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles: Preparation and Property

Adding catalysts to magnetic polyvalent supports facilitating catalyst recycling and recovery seems feasible. Polymer-modified magnetic nanocomposites for organocatalyst immobilization are a plausible approach to this technology. Here, we present facile and efficient method for 2,2′,6,6′-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy (TEMPO) immobilization onto polymer-modified magnetic nanoparticles under mild reaction conditions. Poly(acrylic acid) was chosen to graft from magnetic nanoparticle through a simple inverse emulsion polymerization technique. The resulting poly(acrylic acid) magnetic nanocomposite is an ideal material to immobilize the organocatalyst 4-hydroxy-2,2′,6,6′-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy (H-TEMPO) via an esterification reaction with pendant carboxyl group on the polymer chain. Instrumental analysis confirmed that poly(acrylic acid) chain was grafted on the silica-coated magnetic particles by this simple method while maintaining their magnetic properties; elemental analysis indicated that TEMPO was efficiently immobilized onto the polymer chain. The catalysis tests under both Anelli and Minisci system showed that the nanocomposite catalyst exhibits proper selectivity and activity for the alcohol/aldehyde transformation. Recycling experiments showed that stability and reusability of the nanocomposite catalyst were satisfying.