Application of natural phosphate modified with sodium nitrate in the synthesis of chalcones: a soft and clean method

Sustainable synthesis of biomass-derived carbon quantum dots and their catalytic application for the assessment of α,β-unsaturated compounds

Herein, we demonstrate a simple, reproducible, and environment-friendly strategy for the synthesis of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) utilizing the mango (Mangifera indica) kernel as a renewable green carbon source. Various analytical tools characterized the as-prepared CQDs. These fluorescent CQDs showed significant water solubility with a uniform size of about 6 nm. The as-synthesized CQDs show significantly enhanced catalytic activity for the production of α,β-unsaturated compounds from the derivatives of aromatic alkynes and aldehydes under microwave irradiation in aqueous media. A potential mechanistic pathway and role of carboxylic functionalities were also revealed via various control experiments. The protocol shows outstanding selectivity towards the assessment of α,β-unsaturated compounds over other possible products. A comparative evaluation suggested the as-synthesized CQDs show higher catalytic activity under microwave radiation as compared to the conventional ways. These recyclable CQDs represent a sustainable alternative to metals in synthetic organic chemistry. A cleaner reaction profile, low catalyst loading, economic viability and recyclability of the catalyst, atom economy, and comprehensive substrate applicability are additional benefits of the current protocol according to green chemistry.

Natural vs. Synthetic Phosphate as Efficient Heterogeneous Compounds for Synthesis of Quinoxalines

Natural phosphate (NP) and synthetic fluorapatite phosphate (SFAP) were proposed as stable, inexpensive, readily available and recyclable catalysts for the condensation of 1,2-diamines with 1,2-dicarbonyls in methanol to afford quinoxaline at room temperature. NP provided as high as 92-99% yield for quinoxalines in short reaction times (i.e., 1-45 min), while SFAP created quinoxalines with 87-97% yield in 60-120 min. From the chemical analyses, X-ray fluoresecency, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy methods, two main phases (CaO, P2O5) appeared in NP together with other low content phases (SiO2, Fe2O3). Compared to other phases, apatite (CaO and P2O5 as Ca10(PO4)6) played a major role in the catalytic activity of NP. SFAP with similar Ca/P atomic ratio showed a relatively lower catalytic activity than NP for the condensation of 1,2-diamine with 1,2-dicarbonyl in methanol at ambient temperature. To investigate the recyclability of catalysts, the surface properties of NP and 6-recycled NP were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda methods. Some differences were observed in NP and 6-recycled NP's particle size, surface area, the volume and size of pores, and the content of elements; nevertheless, the use-reuse process did not noticeably change the catalytic property of NP.

Biodiesel production from rapeseed oil and low free fatty acid waste cooking oil using a cesium modified natural phosphate catalyst

The present study focuses on the catalytic activity of cesium modified natural phosphate in biodiesel production from rapeseed oil and low free fatty acids (FFA) used in cooking oil. The catalyst was prepared by impregnation of cesium chloride (CsCl) on the natural phosphate followed by calcination up to 800 °C. The phosphate based catalyst was thermally, structurally, morphologically, and texturally characterized in order to determinate the relationship between its physicochemical properties and its catalytic activity. The chosen catalyst was demonstrated to be an active catalyst for the transesterification of rapeseed oil achieving a biodiesel yield of 99.55% under suitable reaction conditions: a methanol to oil molar ratio of 12 : 1, reaction temperature of 70 °C, catalyst amount of 4 wt% based on oil weight and reaction time of 6 h. Results from low FFA waste cooking oil transesterification indicated that a methyl esters yield of 99.52% could be obtained. Furthermore, results from esterification/transesterification of acidified rapeseed oil indicate that a yield of 93% may be obtained, thus giving rise to a potential application in 2^nd generation biodiesel production from low acidic oils. Some important physicochemical properties of the obtained biodiesel were evaluated and compared with the EN14214 and ASTM D-6751 standards for biodiesel specifications.

Cesium modified natural phosphate was investigated as a catalyst in biodiesel production from rapeseed oil and low free fatty acids used in cooking oil.

Synthesis of Chalcones Catalysed by SOCl2/EtOH

A novel and efficient synthesis chalcones by using SOCl2/EtOH as catalyst was presented. In the presence of thionyl chloride, the aldol condensation of acetophenone and benzaldehyde was catalysed in the anhydrous ethanol in high yields (60–95%) under mild condition.

From Carbamate to Chalcone: Consecutive Anionic Fries Rearrangement, Anionic Si → C Alkyl Rearrangement, and Claisen-Schmidt Condensation

A highly efficient one-pot procedure was developed for the synthesis of various 2'-hydroxychalcones from phenyl diethylcarbamate, featuring consecutive Snieckus-Fries rearrangement, anionic Si → C alkyl rearrangement, and Claisen-Schmidt condensation in a single operation. The applicability of this protocol was demonstrated by the highly efficient synthesis of the anti-inflammatory natural product lonchocarpin. The mechanism insight is also provided.

Natural phosphate-supported Cu(ii), an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of xanthene and 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazole derivatives

Cu(NO₃)₂ supported on natural phosphate, Cu(ii)/NP, was prepared by co-precipitation and applied as a heterogeneous catalyst for synthesizing xanthenes (2–3 h, 85–97%) through Knoevenagel–Michael cascade reaction of aromatic aldehydes with 1,3-cyclic diketones in ethanol under refluxing conditions. It was further used for regioselective synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles (1–25 min, 95–99%) via a three-component reaction between organic halides, aromatic alkynes and sodium azide in methanol at room temperature. The proposed catalyst, Cu(ii)/NP, was characterized using X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, Barrett–Joyner–Halenda and inductively coupled plasma analyses. Compared to other reports in literature, the reactions took place through a simple co-precipitation, having short reaction time (<3 hours), high reaction yield (>85%), and high recyclability of catalyst (>5 times) without significant decrease in the inherent property and selectivity of catalyst. The proposed protocols provided significant economic and environmental advantages.

Cu(NO₃)₂ supported on natural phosphate, Cu(ii)/NP, was prepared by co-precipitation and characterized. The Cu(ii)/NP catalyzed the synthesis of xanthenes and triazoles. The proposed protocols provided significant economic and environmental advantages.

Evaluation of silica-H2SO4 as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of chalcones

We report an efficient silica-H₂SO₄ mediated synthesis of a variety of chalcones that afforded the targeted compounds in very good yield compared to base catalyzed solvent free conditions as well as acid or base catalyzed refluxing conditions.

Hydroxyapatite catalyzed aldol condensation: synthesis, spectral linearity, antimicrobial and insect antifeedant activities of some 2,5-dimethyl-3-furyl chalcones

A series of 2,5-dimethyl-3-furyl chalcones [2E-1-(2,5-dimethyl-3-furyl)-3-(substituted phenyl)-2-propen-1-ones] have been synthesized by Hydrotalcite catalyzed aldol condensation between 3-acetyl-2,5-dimethylfuron and substituted benzaldehydes. Yields of chalcones are more than 80%. These chalcones were characterized by their physical constants and spectral data. The group frequencies of infrared ν(cm(-1)) of CO s-cis and s-trans, CH in-plane and out of plane, CH=CH out of plane, C=C out of plane modes, NMR chemical shifts δ(ppm) of Hα, Hβ, CO, Cα and Cβ of these chalcones were correlated with Hammett substituent constants, F and R parameters using single and multi-regression analyses. From the results of statistical analyses, the effects of substituents on the group frequencies are explained. Antibacterial, antifungal and insect antifeedant activities of these chalcones have been studied.

Effects of structural and electronic characteristics of chalcones on the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

Chalcones share some structural similarities with GW-1929, a highly-selective and potent agonist for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ). In this study, we tested 53 structurally diverse chalcones to identify characteristics essential for PPARγ activation in a GAL4-based transactivation assay. This screen identified several novel chalcone agonists of PPARγ. Our results indicate that chalcones with an electron rich group or sterically large groups such as naphthyl on the carbonyl side tend to activate PPARγ. The absence of any strict structural or electronic requirements suggests that the flexibility of the PPARγ ligand binding pocket may allow binding of diverse chalcones with some preference for a slightly larger electron-rich group on the carbonyl side. We predict that further structure-activity relationship studies on chalcones with naphthalene or electron-rich groups near the carbonyl moiety will lead to the development of more potent PPARγ agonists.

Microwave assisted solvent free synthesis of 1,3-diphenylpropenones

BACKGROUND

1,3-Diphenylpropenones (chalcones) are well known for their diverse array of bioactivities. Hydroxyl group substituted chalcones are the main precursor in the synthesis of flavonoids. Till date various methods have been developed for the synthesis of these very interesting molecules. Continuing our efforts for the development of simple, eco-friendly and cost-effective methodologies, we report here a solvent free condensation of aryl ketones and aldehydes using iodine impregnated alumina under microwave activation. This new protocol has been applied to a variety of substituted aryl carbonyls with excellent yield of substituted 1,3-diphenylpropenones.

RESULTS

Differently substituted chalcones were synthesized using iodine impregnated neutral alumina as catalyst in 79-95% yield in less than 2 minutes time under microwave activation without using any solvent. The reaction was studied under different catalytic conditions and it was found that molecular iodine supported over neutral alumina gives the best yield. The otherwise difficult single step condensation of hydroxy substituted aryl carbonyls is an attractive feature of this protocol to obtain polyhydroxychalcones in excellent yields. In order to find out the general applicability of this new endeavor it was successfully applied for the synthesis of 15 different chalcones including highly bioactive prenylated hydroxychalcone xanthohumol.

CONCLUSION

A new, simple and solvent free method was developed for the synthesis of substituted chalcones in environmentally benign way. The mild reaction conditions, easy work-up, clean reaction profiles render this approach as an interesting alternative to the existing methods.

Direct Synthesis and Catalytic Reactivity of Highly Ordered Large-Pore Methylaminopropyl-Functionalized SBA-15 Materials

Highly ordered large-pore SBA-15 materials functionalized with a high loading of amino groups were synthesized for the first time by co-condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and [3-(methylamino)propyl]trimethoxysilane (MAPTMS) using an amphiphilic block copolymer. Addition of inorganic salt to the initial mixture greatly enhanced the mesostructure ordering and stability of the mesoporous materials. The materials thus obtained showed high catalytic activity and selectivity for the synthesis of flavanones by means of the Claisen–Schmidt condensation in the absence of solvent.

Synthesis of substituted stilbenes via the Knoevenagel condensation

Knoevenagel condensations between aldehydes and substrates containing active methylene groups were carried out in ethanol at room temperature, in the presence of potassium phosphate, to afford unsymmetrical olefins. These condensations have been shown to afford only the E-isomers in greater than 80% yields. Salicylaldehyde first produces the Knoevenagel condensation products, which undergo a subsequent heterocyclization to give coumarin derivatives. The structures of the synthesized compounds were established on the basis of UV, IR, MS and NMR spectroscopy.