Fe(III) superoxide radicals in halloysite nanotubes for visible-light-assisted benzyl alcohol oxidation and oxidative C C coupling of 2-naphthol

La(FeCuMnMgTi)O3 High-Entropy Oxide Nanoparticles as Highly Efficient Catalysts for Solvent-Free Aerobic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

In this work, a solid-state method for the synthesis of perovskite La(FeCuMnMgTi)O3 high-entropy oxide (HEO) nanoparticles is detailed. Additionally, the high performance of these nanoparticles as catalysts in the aerobic and solvent-free oxidation of benzyl alcohol is demonstrated. The structural features of HEO nanoparticles are studied by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The La(FeCuMnMgTi)O3 nanoparticles demonstrate excellent benzyl alcohol conversion rates and selectivity for benzaldehyde, reaching 10.6% conversion and 52.8% selectivity after reaction for only 4 h and ≤75.6% conversion after 24 h. In addition, the as-prepared HEO catalyst displays robust stability in benzyl alcohol oxidation. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the adsorption energy of benzaldehyde on the HEO surface is lower than that of the benzoic acid. This, in turn, hinders the gradual conversion of benzaldehyde to benzoic acid on the surface of HEO and retains benzaldehyde as the main product.

Heterogeneous Iron-Based Catalysts for Organic Transformation Reactions: A Brief Overview

Iron (Fe) is considered to be one of the most significant elements due to its wide applications. Recent years have witnessed a burgeoning interest in Fe catalysis as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to noble metal catalysis in organic synthesis. The abundance and low toxicity of Fe, coupled with its competitive reactivity and selectivity, underscore its appeal for sustainable synthesis. A lot of catalytic reactions have been performed using heterogeneous catalysts of Fe oxide hybridized with support systems like aluminosilicates, clays, carbonized materials, metal oxides or polymeric matrices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in Fe-catalyzed organic transformation reactions. Highlighted areas include cross-coupling reactions, C-H activation, asymmetric catalysis, and cascade processes, showcasing the versatility of Fe across a spectrum of synthetic methodologies. Emphasis is placed on mechanistic insights, elucidating the underlying principles governing iron-catalyzed reactions. Challenges and opportunities in the field are discussed, providing a roadmap for future research endeavors. Overall, this review illuminates the transformative potential of Fe catalysis in driving innovation and sustainability in organic chemistry, with implications for drug discovery, materials science, and beyond.

Heterogeneous iron catalyst for C(1)-H functionalization of 2-naphthols with primary aromatic alcohols

An iron oxide nanocatalyst supported on a potassium exchanged zeolite-Y (Fe₂O₃-KY) is an efficient and reusable catalyst that promotes the selective α-H functionalization of 2-naphthols with various aromatic primary alcohols. The reaction occurs at 110 °C in dichloroethane and requires 6 h for completion. The product yields were found to vary with respect to the nature of the substituents. Benzyl alcohols with electron-donating groups gave the highest yields of up to 90%.

Pd on cyclotriphosphazen-hexa imine decorated boehmite as an efficient catalyst for hydrogenation of nitro arenes under mild reaction condition

Cyclotriphosphazen-hexa imine ligand was prepared through successive reactions of phosphonitrilchloride trimer with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and (3-aminopropyl) triethoxy silane. The as-prepared ligand was then covalently grafted on boehmite to furnish an efficient support for the immobilization of Pd nanoparticles and synthesis of a novel heterogeneous catalyst for hydrogenation of nitro arenes. The catalytic tests revealed that the catalyst had excellent catalytic activity for hydrogenation of various nitro arenes with different steric and electronic features under mild reaction condition in aqueous media. Noteworthy, the catalyst was highly selective and in the substrates with ketone or aldehyde functionalities, reduction of nitro group was only observed. The catalyst was also recyclable and only slight loss of activity was detected after each recycling run. Hot filtration test also approved true heterogeneous nature of catalysis.

Halloysite Nanoclay with High Content of Sulfonic Acid-Based Ionic Liquid: A Novel Catalyst for the Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans

One of the main drawbacks of supported ionic liquids is their low loading and consequently, low activity of the resultant catalysts. To furnish a solution to this issue, a novel heterocyclic ligand with multi imine sites was introduced on the surface of amino-functionalized halloysite support via successive reactions with 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine and 2-aminopyrimidine. Subsequently, the imine sites were transformed to sulfonic acid-based ionic liquids via reaction with 1,4-butanesultone. Using this strategy, high loading of ionic liquid was loaded on halloysite nanoclay. The supported ionic liquid was then characterized with XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, FTIR, BET, TGA and elemental mapping analysis and utilized as a metal-free Brønsted acid catalyst for promoting one-pot reaction of aldehydes, dimedone and malononitrile to furnish tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans. The catalytic tests confirmed high performance of the catalyst. Moreover, the catalyst was stable upon recycling.