A Facile Approach to the Synthesis of 3-Acylisoxazole Derivatives with Reusable Solid Acid Catalysts

Nitrile oxides were formed from α-nitro ketones using silica gel-supported sodium hydrogen sulfate (NaHSO4/SiO2) or Amberlyst 15 as solid acid catalyst, and then the corresponding 3-acylisoxaszoles were obtained by reacting with alkynes via the 1,3-dipolar [3+2] cyclo­addition. These heterogeneous catalysts are easily separable from the reaction mixture and reused. This synthetic method provides a facile, efficient, and reusable production of 3-acylisoxazoles.

NaHSO4/SiO2 catalyzed generation of o-quinone/ o-thioquinone methides: synthesis of arylxanthenes/ arylthioxanthenes via oxa-6π-electrocyclization

ortho-Quinone methides, very reactive transient intermediates, are utilized successfully in synthesizing complex organic molecules of natural and biological significance. Among several synthetic protocols, the acid catalyzed generation of ortho-quinone methides from suitably substituted phenols is a promising method for further exploitation in organic synthesis. Such an interesting reactive species is conveniently employed in the synthesis of conformationally restricted triarylmethane derivatives such as 12/9-arylxanthenes/arylthioxanthenes starting from symmetrical/unsymmetrical 2-(hydroxydiarylmethyl)phenol/thiophenol, respectively, using SiO2-NaHSO4. Conformationally restricted 12/9-arylxanthenes/arylthioxanthenes were obtained in 52 to 96% yields using this protocol, which is believed to involve the formation of o-quinone methides followed by electrocyclic ring closure and isomerization at elevated temperature. Photophysical studies of selected examples in acidic media showed turn-on fluorescence by hydride ion transfer mediated π-conjugated xanthylium salt formation and suggested the application potential in bio-imaging and fluorescent sensors.

Iron-Catalyzed Selective Etherification and Transetherification Reactions Using Alcohols

Simple and readily available iron(III) triflate turned out to be a cheap, environmentally benign, and efficient catalyst for the direct etherification of alcohols. The use of ammonium chloride as an additive (5 mol %, 1 equiv relative to catalyst) suppressed the side reactions completely and ensured the selective ether formation even on challenging substrates containing electron-donating substituents. This method allows the selective synthesis of symmetrical ethers from benzylic secondary alcohols and unsymmetrical ethers directly from secondary and primary alcohols. Moreover, transetherification of symmetrical ethers using primary alcohols is attained. The reaction progress of symmetrical ether and unsymmetrical ether formation followed zero-order and first-order kinetics, respectively. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements of the reaction mixture and simple iron(III) triflate clearly indicated that oxidation state of the metal center remains same throughout the catalysis. Mechanistic studies confirmed that the unsymmetrical ether formation occurs via the in situ formed symmetrical ethers.

Molecular iodine as a mild catalyst for cross-coupling of alkenes and alcohols

C–C bond formation is one of the most fundamental approaches toward molecular diversity in organic synthesis. In pursuit of environmentally friendlier chemical approaches to organic chemistry, we present a new metal-free method for direct dehydrative cross-coupling of alcohols and alkenes using molecular iodine as a Lewis acid catalyst under solvent-free reaction conditions. The reaction is atom-economical, tolerant to air and allows simple synthetic procedure, furnishing Csp 3–Csp 2 coupling products with yields up to 97%. The method has proved efficient for coupling of secondary benzyl alcohols with phenyl-substituted alkenes.

Brønsted acid ionic liquid as a solvent-conserving catalyst for organic reactions

A sulfonyl-containing ammonium-based Brønsted acid ionic liquid was prepared and used as a liquid heterogeneous catalyst for organic reactions. The unique macroscopic phase heterogeneity of the IL in the reaction system not only ensures an excellent catalytic activity of the IL catalyst but also avoids the use of organic reaction solvents. The catalyst system is applicable for a wide range of reactions.

Greener approach for the synthesis of substituted alkenes by direct coupling of alcohols with styrenes using recyclable Bronsted acidic [NMP]+HSO4− ionic liquid

A green protocol for the synthesis of substituted alkenes from alcohols and styrenes using recyclable [NMP]⁺HSO₄⁻ ionic liquid catalyst with higher atom efficiency has been developed.