Sustainable dipolar homo-dicopper (II) dihydrazone complex as a catalyst for Sonogashira cross couplings

Ionic liquids in C-H activation: synthesis and functionalization of heterocycles and carbocycles

This review illustrates various roles played by ionic liquids in organic transformations, such as solvents, additives, promoters, electrolytes and catalysts for the synthesis and functionalization of heterocycles and carbocycles through C-H activation reactions. Ionic liquids offer several advantages such as high stability, intrinsic conductivity, non-volatility, and recyclability, making them appealing alternatives to traditional organic solvents in sustainable organic synthesis. Their unique properties enhance reaction performance, as seen with recyclable [EMIM]BF4 in quinazolinone synthesis and [TMG][CF3COO] in amide production, direct diarylation of 6,7-benzindoles, regioselective reactions with aryl iodides, catalytic cyclopropanation with tetrabutylammonium acetate (TBAA), and propargylamine synthesis via A3 coupling reactions. The use of functionalized ionic liquids like [Bmim]PF6 with phosphine-ligated Pd(II) enhances product isolation, facilitates reactions under mild conditions, and promotes reusability, contributing to environmentally friendly pathways. Thus, this review highlights various ionic liquids used in different reactions, emphasizing their benefits in improving yields, solubility, and product separation in catalytic processes.

Amino acids modified nanoscale zero-valent iron: Density functional theory calculations, experimental synthesis and application in the Fenton-like degradation of organic solvents

To improve the adsorption and catalytic performance of heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts for oil wastes, amino acids were used to modify nanoscale zero-valent iron (AA@Fe0), which were applied in the Fenton-like degradation of organic solvents (tributyl phosphate and n-dodecane, named TBP and DD). Twelve amino acids, i.e., glycine (Gly), alanine (Ala), leucine (Leu), proline (Pro), phenylalanine (Phe), methionine (Met), cysteine (Cys), asparagine (Asn), serine (Ser), glutamic acid (Glu), lysine (Lys) and arginine (Arg), were selected and calculated by density functional theory (DFT). The optimized structure, charge distribution, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), interaction region indicator (IRI) isosurface map and adsorption energy of AA@Fe0, AA@Fe0-TBP and AA@Fe0-DD were studied, which indicated that Fe is more likely to approach and charge transfer with -COO and -NH3 on the α-carbon of amino acids. There is strong attraction between Fe and -COO, and Van der Waals force between Fe and -NH3, respectively. In the interaction of AA@Fe0 with TBP and DD, Van der Waal force plays an important role. AA@Fe0 was synthesized in laboratory and characterized to investigate physicochemical properties. In Fenton-like degradation of organic solvents, the change of COD in water phase during the degradation process as well as the volume of the organic phase after the reaction were investigated. The results of calculations combined with experiments showed that Ser-modified Fe0 performed the best in these amino acids, with 98% removal of organic solvents. A possible catalytic mechanism was proposed in which amino acids acted a linking role between Fe and organic solvents, activating H2O2 to generate hydroxyl radicals for the degradation of organic solvents.

Nickel catalysts in Sonogashira coupling reactions

Nickel has emerged as a desirable substitute for palladium in Sonogashira coupling reactions due to its abundance, less toxicity and high catalytic activity. Ni complexes have been developed to catalyse C(sp)-C(sp2) and C(sp)-C(sp3) Sonogashira couplings that find applications in the synthesis and modifications of biologically relevant molecules. This review focuses on the catalytic potential and mechanistic details of various Ni complexes employed in the Sonogashira coupling. These include homogeneous catalytic systems with Ni-phosphorus and Ni-nitrogen catalysts, ligand-free catalysts, and carbonylative coupling strategies. Various heterogeneous catalytic systems using supported Ni complexes, Ni nanoparticles and Pd-Ni bimetallic catalysts have also been discussed. This is the first review reported so far dealing exclusively with Ni-catalysed Sonogashira coupling reactions. This review illustrates the current strategies and potential of Ni-catalysed Sonogashira coupling reactions in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, and covers the literature up to 2020.