Graphene oxide mediated solvent-free three component reaction for the synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols and 1,2-dihydro-1-arylnaphth[1,2- e ][1,3]oxazin-3-ones

Carbocatalysis: a metal free green avenue towards carbon–carbon/heteroatom bond construction

Indeed, all the heterocycles comprises of either “C–C, C–N, C–S or C–O” bonds in their skeleton and construction of these bonds has laid the foundation stone of organic chemistry. The present researchers are continually attempting to develop new strategies for synthesizing miscellaneous structurally divergent molecular entities and these bond forming reactions are the fundamental tools. As a consequence, a colossal upheaval is witnessed in development of benign and sustainable synthetic routes for green bond-forming reactions envisaging carbon–carbon/heteroatom. This chapter is aimed towards highlighting the recent developments perceived in “C–C, C–N, C–S or C–O” bondconstruction especially emphasising greener perspectives i.e. carbocatalysis.

Study and application of graphene oxide in the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted quinolines via a Povarov multicomponent reaction and subsequent oxidation

The carbocatalyzed synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted quinolines is disclosed. This process involved a three-component Povarov reaction of anilines, aldehydes and electron-enriched enol ethers, which gave the substrate for the subsequent oxidation. Graphene oxide (GO) was exploited as a heterogeneous, metal-free and sustainable catalyst for both transformations. The multicomponent reaction proceeded under simple and mild reaction conditions, exhibited good functional group tolerance, and could be easily scaled up to the gram level. A selection of tetrahydroquinolines obtained was subsequently aromatized to quinolines. The multistep synthesis could also be performed as a one-pot procedure. Investigation of the real active sites of GO was carried out by performing control experiments and a by full characterization of the carbon material by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR).

Catalytic applications of graphene oxide towards the synthesis of bioactive scaffolds through the formation of carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds

During the past several decades, metal-based catalysis is one of the major and direct approaches for the synthesis of organic molecules. Nowadays, materials containing predominantly carbon element which are termed as carbocatalysts, become the most promising area of research to replace transition metal catalysts. In this context of carbocatalysis, the use of graphene oxide (GO) and GO-based materials are under spotlight due to their sustainability, environmental benignity and large scale-availability. The presence of oxygen containing functional groups in GO makes it benign oxidant and slightly acidic catalyst. This chapter provides a broad discussion on graphene oxide (GO) as well as its preparation, properties and vast area of application. The catalytic activity of GO has been explored in different organic transformations and it has been recognized as an oxidation catalyst for various organic reactions.

Graphene-based carbocatalysts for carbon-carbon bond formation

Organic transformations are usually catalyzed by metal-based catalysts. In contrast, metal-free catalysts have attracted considerable attention from the viewpoint of sustainability and safety. Among the studies in metal-free catalysis, graphene-based materials have been introduced in the reactions that are usually catalyzed by transition metal catalysts. This review covers the literature (up to the beginning of April 2020) on the use of graphene and its derivatives as carbocatalysts for C-C bond-forming reactions, which are one of the fundamental reactions in organic syntheses. Besides, mechanistic studies are included for the rational understanding of the catalysis. Graphene has significant potential in the field of metal-free catalysis because of the fine-tunable potential of the structure, high stability and durability, and no metal contamination, making it a next-generation candidate material in catalysis.

Recent development in the synthesis of heterocycles by 2-naphthol-based multicomponent reactions

2-Naphthol or β-naphthol is an important starting material that has drawn great attention in various organic transformations because of its attributes, such as low cost, easy to handle and eco-friendliness. The electron-rich aromatic framework of 2-naphthol with multiple reactive sites allows it to be utilized in several kinds of organic reactions eventuated to several organic molecules with potent biological properties. Multicomponent reaction approach has been tremendously utilized to explore the synthetic utility of 2-naphthol for the construction of diverse N/O-containing heterocyclic framework. In this review, we summarize recent data pertaining to multicomponent reactions, wherein heterocyclic compounds are synthesized utilizing 2-naphthol as one of the starting materials. It is anticipated that this review will stimulate the researchers to design new multicomponent strategies complying with the Green Chemistry principles for the further exploitation of 2-naphthol for the rapid synthesis of versatile biologically relevant heterocycles. This review provides a concise overview of the different 2-naphthol based multicomponent reactions utilized for the construction of diverse bioactive heterocyclic scaffold.

Regenerable Acidity of Graphene Oxide in Promoting Multicomponent Organic Synthesis

The Brønsted acidity of graphene oxide (GO) materials has shown promising activity in organic synthesis. However, roles and functionality of Lewis acid sites remain elusive. Herein, we reported a carbocatalytic approach utilizing both Brønsted and Lewis acid sites in GOs as heterogeneous promoters in a series of multicomponent synthesis of triazoloquinazolinone compounds. The GOs possessing the highest degree of oxidation, also having the highest amounts of Lewis acid sites, enable optimal yields (up to 95%) under mild and non-toxic reaction conditions (85 °C in EtOH). The results of FT-IR spectroscopy, temperature-programed decomposition mass spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy identified that the apparent Lewis acidity via basal plane epoxide ring opening, on top of the saturated Brønsted acidic carboxylic groups, is responsible for the enhanced carbocatalytic activities involving Knoevenagel condensation pathway. Recycled GO can be effectively regenerated to reach 97% activity of fresh GO, supporting the recognition of GO as pseudocatalyst in organic synthesis.

Monometallic and bimetallic Cu–Ag MOF/MCM-41 composites: structural characterization and catalytic activity

Monometallic and bimetallic MOF/MCM-41 composites (Cu, Ag and Cu–Ag) were synthesized via a solvothermal method. The synthesized composites were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX and BET surface area measurements. The acidity was determined through two techniques; potentiometric titration with n-butyl amine for determining the strength and the total number of acid sites and FTIR spectra of chemisorbed pyridine on the surface of MOFs for determining the type of acid sites (Brønsted and/or Lewis). All the prepared MOFs showed Lewis-acid sites and the higher acidity was observed for the bimetallic Cu–Ag MOF/MCM-41 composite. The catalytic activity was examined on the synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthol via the reaction of benzaldehyde, 2-naphthol and benzamide. The best yield (92.86%) was obtained in the least time (10 min) with a molar ratio 1.2 : 1.2 : 1.7 of benzaldehyde : β-naphthol : benzamide and 0.1 g bimetallic Cu–Ag MOF/MCM-41 composite under solvent-free conditions at 130 °C. Reuse of the catalysts showed that they could be used at least four times without any reduction in the catalytic activity.

Monometallic and bimetallic MOF/MCM-41 composites (Cu, Ag and Cu–Ag) were synthesized via a solvothermal method.

Synthesis of functionalized dihydro-2-oxopyrroles using graphene oxide as heterogeneous catalyst

A mild, efficient synthetic approach for the synthesis of highly functionalized dihydro-2-oxopyrroles is developed by using graphene oxide, a readily available and inexpensive material, as an eco-benign solid acid catalyst in ethanol at room temperature. The present methodology displays several advantages such as practical simplicity, high atom economy, easy workup procedure, and high yields of the products.

Recent advances in organic reactions catalyzed by graphene oxide and sulfonated graphene as heterogeneous nanocatalysts: a review

Over the past decade, the application of carbocatalyst systems has been preferred over that of homogeneous catalytic systems because of their advantages such as physical and thermal stability of the catalysts in successive reaction runs and reusability.