Sulphated zirconia catalyzed acylation of phenols, alcohols and amines under solvent free conditions

Study on the Comprehensive Phytochemicals and the Anti-Ulcerative Colitis Effect of Saussurea pulchella

BACKGROUND

Saussurea pulchella (SP) is a traditional medicinal plant that is widely used in folk medicine because of its diverse biological activities, particularly its anti-inflammatory effects. However, the alleviation effect of SP on ulcerative colitis (UC) has not yet been realized.

PURPOSE

To investigate the chemical composition and therapeutic effect of SP extract against UC.

METHODS

First, qualitative and quantitative analysis of SP 75% ethanol extract was performed by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. Second, a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model of UC mice was developed to study the effects of SP on the symptoms, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress indexes and colon histopathology. Third, an integration of network pharmacology with metabolomics was performed to investigate the key metabolites, biological targets and metabolisms closely related to the effect of SP.

RESULTS

From the SP ethanol extract, 149 compounds were identified qualitatively and 20 were determined quantitatively. The SP could dose-dependently decrease the DAI score, spleen coefficient and the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, MPO and MDA; increase the colon length, GSH level and SOD activity; and protect the intestinal barrier in the UC mice. Moreover, 10 metabolite biomarkers,18 targets and 5 metabolisms were found to play crucial roles in the treatment of UC with SP.

CONCLUSIONS

SP 75% ethanol extract could effectively alleviate the progression of UC and, therefore, could be classified as a novel natural treatment for UC.

Acetylation of Phenols, Anilines, and Thiols Using Silica Sulfuric Acid under Solvent-Free Conditions

Silica sulfuric acid was employed as a heterogeneous catalyst for the acetylation of a variety of phenols, amines, and thiols under solvent-free conditions at room temperature. Deactivated substrates also acetylated rapidly, and the method showed the preferential selectivity for acetylation of amino group in the presence of hydroxyl groupinwhich no C-acylation was observed.

Acylation reactions over zeolites and mesoporous catalysts

Molecular sieves are highly active and selective catalysts with industrial potential for acylation reactions. Zeolites are the catalysts of choice when shape selectivity influences the preferential formation of some products, while high conversions are achieved over mesoporous catalysts with enhanced diffusion rates of reactants and products. In this Minireview, we focus on the understanding of the relationship among the structure of molecular sieve, type and concentration of acid sites and activity/selectivity in various acylations of aromatic and olefinic hydrocarbons. The products of these acylation reactions are important compounds for the pharmaceutical industry, fragrance and flavor materials, dyes, polymers, agrochemicals, and other applications.

Microwave-enhanced sulphated zirconia and SZ/MCM-41 catalyzed regioselective synthesis of beta-amino alcohols under solvent-free conditions

A solvent-free approach for the regioselective synthesis of β-amino alcohols in shorter reaction times and higher yields, compared to conventional heating is described. It involves microwave (MW) exposure of undiluted reactants in the presence of sulphated zirconia (SZ) or sulphated zirconia over MCM-41 (SZM) as catalyst. Both acid materials can be easily recovered and reused.