Two efficient pathways for the synthesis of aryl ketones catalyzed by phosphorus-free palladium catalysts

Recent Progress of Metal Nanoparticle Catalysts for C–C Bond Forming Reactions

Over the past few decades, the use of transition metal nanoparticles (NPs) in catalysis has attracted much attention and their use in C–C bond forming reactions constitutes one of their most important applications. A huge variety of metal NPs, which have showed high catalytic activity for C–C bond forming reactions, have been developed up to now. Many kinds of stabilizers, such as inorganic materials, magnetically recoverable materials, porous materials, organic–inorganic composites, carbon materials, polymers, and surfactants have been utilized to develop metal NPs catalysts. This review classified and outlined the categories of metal NPs by the type of support.

Palladium and Copper: Advantageous Nanocatalysts for Multi-Step Transformations

Metal nanoparticles have been deeply studied in the last few decades due to their attractive physical and chemical properties, finding a wide range of applications in several fields. Among them, well-defined nano-structures can combine the main advantages of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. Especially, catalyzed multi-step processes for the production of added-value chemicals represent straightforward synthetic methodologies, including tandem and sequential reactions that avoid the purification of intermediate compounds. In particular, palladium- and copper-based nanocatalysts are often applied, becoming a current strategy in the sustainable synthesis of fine chemicals. The rational tailoring of nanosized materials involving both those immobilized on solid supports and liquid phases and their applications in organic synthesis are herein reviewed.

Gram-Scale Synthesis of Flavoring Ketones in One Pot via Alkylation-Decarboxylation on Benzylic Carbon Using a Commercial Solid Acid Catalyst

The gram-scale synthesis of important flavoring ketones via alkylation of acetoacetic ester on substituted benzylic carbon followed by decarboxylation using a heterogeneous, commercial, solid acid catalyst is reported. The flavoring ketones were synthesized by the alkylation of acetoacetic ester, which proceeds through an S_N1-type reaction to generate an alkylated (β-ketoester) intermediate at the benzylic carbon, which is decarboxylated under the acidic condition. Among the solid acid catalysts used, Amberlyst-15 was found to be the best catalyst under the solvent-free condition. This protocol was successfully employed for the synthesis of various flavoring ketones such as raspberry ketone and ginger ketone with almost complete conversion and 82% isolated yield. The para-donating groups on the benzylic alcohol showed a high rate of reaction. The catalyst was easily recovered and reused 6 times without losing its activity and selectivity. Moreover, this reaction was demonstrated at a 10 g scale, which implicated the potential applicability of the protocol in the industry.