In Melting Points We Trust: A Review on the Misguiding Characterization of Multicomponent Reactions Adducts and Intermediates

We discuss herein the problems associated with using melting points to characterize multicomponent reactions’ (MCRs) products and intermediates. Although surprising, it is not rare to find articles in which these MCRs final adducts (or their intermediates) are characterized solely by comparing melting points with those available from other reports. A brief survey among specialized articles highlights serious and obvious problems with this practice since, for instance, cases are found in which as many as 25 quite contrasting melting points have been attributed to the very same MCR adduct. Indeed, it seems logical to assume that the inherent non-confirmatory nature of melting points could be vastly misleading as a protocol for structural confirmation, but still many publications (also in the Q1 and Q2 quartiles) insist on using it. This procedure contradicts best practices in organic synthesis, and articles fraught with limitations and misleading conclusions have been published in the MCRs field. The drawbacks inherent to this practice are indeed serious and have misguided MCRs advances. We therefore suggest some precautions aimed at avoiding future confusions.

Graphite catalyzed solvent free synthesis of dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones/thiones and their antidiabetic activity

A solvent free three component condensation reaction between an aldehyde, ethyl acetoacetate and urea catalyzed by graphite, a green catalyst is described for the synthesis of dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones. This protocol is scalable and the catalyst is reusable. This method is also applied for the synthesis of dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-thiones. α-Amylase, a key enzyme in carbohydrate metabolism is generally targeted for management of type 2 diabetes. The therapeutic potential of the dihydropyrimidinones and dihydropyrimidinthiones to inhibit α-amylase activity was evaluated by in vitro assay. Of the synthesized compounds 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-thione (1k) demonstrated highest inhibition of α-amylase activity.

Selective Organic Synthesis for Sustainable Development

The data on the development of selective organic synthesis suitable for obtaining multifunctional organic compounds both linear and cyclic structures using environmentally benign, inexpensive and renewable resources summarized. This article is an extended abstract of a communication presented at the Conference Ecological Chemistry 2012.

Ionic Liquids Derivative of 1H-Imidazole as Novel Reagents, Catalysts and Solvents

Ionic liquids are becoming widely used in chemical processes. Taking this into account we focus on recent advances in the synthesis and the investigation of 1H-imidazole derived ionic liquids. The fi rst part of this paper focuses on describing the developments in the synthesis and physical properties of 1,3-disubstituted imidazolium salts. The second part describes the application of these unique reagents, as catalysts and solvents in organic chemistry.