Significant rate acceleration in carbonate synthesis from carbon dioxide and oxiranes using dimethyl carbonate as a recyclable medium

The synthesis of cyclic carbonates by the reaction of oxiranes and carbon dioxide in the presence of catalytic amount of tetrabutylammonium bromide in dimethylcarbonate without any metal catalyst is reported. Significant rate acceleration in the reaction is observed in dimethylcarbonate as compared to the other solvents. Under the reaction conditions of 100 °C and 2.1 MPa in dimethyl carbonate, maximum conversion and selectivity is achieved. The dimethylcarbonate containing tetrabutylammonium bromide catalyst can be easily recovered and reused for at least six recycles with the same selectivity.     

Recyclable N-heterocyclic carbene/palladium catalyst on graphene oxide for the aqueous-phase Suzuki reaction

Graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized with a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursor, 3-(3-aminopropyl)-1-methylimidazolium bromide ([APMIm][Br]) for the immobilization of palladium catalyst. The GO-supported NHC precursor (IMGO) formed a stable complex with Pd(OAc)₂ (GO–NHC–Pd), which showed excellent catalytic activity and fast reaction kinetics in the aqueous-phase Suzuki reaction of aryl bromides and chlorides at relatively mild conditions (1 h at 50 °C). The GO–NHC–Pd catalyst was reused several times without any loss of its catalytic activity in the Suzuki reaction of aryl bromide.     

Improved catalysis of Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. The strong synergic effect using both an imidazolic ionic liquid and a temperature

The effect of different catalytic conditions for the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction has been evaluated both experimentally and by chemometry. The use of either ultrasound at 0 °C, ultrasound with an imidazolic ionic liquid at 0 °C or the ionic liquid catalyst at 0 and 50 °C was systematically tested. A strong synergic effect, which significantly increases the reaction rates and yields, was observed when the reactions were performed using an imidazolic ionic liquid catalyst at both 0 and 50 °C.     

Catalytic activity of η-(olefin)palladium(0) complexes with iminophosphine ligands in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction. Role of the olefin in the catalyst stabilization

The catalytic activity of η²-(olefin)palladium(0)(iminophosphine) complexes in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling is strongly dependent on the reaction conditions and on the nature of the ligands. The reaction is at the best carried out in aromatic solvents in the presence of K₂CO₃ at 90-110 °C. Higher reaction rates are obtained when the R substituent on the N-imino group is an aromatic group of low steric hindrance and the olefin is a moderate π-accepting ligand such as dimethyl fumarate. At temperatures lower than 90 °C, a self-catalyzed process leading to catalyst deactivation becomes predominant. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicate that the oxidative addition of the aryl bromide to a Pd(0) species is the rate determining step in the catalytic cycle and that the olefin plays a key role in catalyst stabilization. Systems in situ prepared by mixing Pd(OAc)₂ or Pd(dba)₂ with 1 equiv of iminophosphine appear substantially less active than the preformed catalysts.     

Studies on the synthesis and curing of epoxidized novolac vinyl ester resin from renewable resource material

Cardanol-based epoxidized novolac vinyl ester resin (CNEVER) was synthesized by reacting cardanol-based epoxidized novolac (CNE) resin and methacrylic acid (MA) (CNE:MA molar ratio 1:0.9) in presence of triphenylphosphine as catalyst at 90 °C. The CNE resin was prepared by the reaction of cardanol-based novolac-type phenolic (CFN) resin and epichlorohydrin, in basic medium, at 120 °C. The CFN resin was synthesized by reacting cardanol (C) and formaldehyde (F) (C/F ratio = 1:0.7) with p-toluene sulphonic acid (PTSA) as catalyst (0.5 wt.%) at 120 °C for 7 h. The resin products were analyzed by Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis. The number-average molecular weight of the prepared CNEVER was found to be 859 gmol⁻¹ as determined by gel permeation chromatographic (GPC) analysis. The resin was cured by using the mixture of resin, benzoyl peroxide, and styrene at 120 °C. The CNEVER resin was found to be cured in 60 min at 120 °C. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) technique was used to investigate the curing behaviour. Single step mass loss in dynamic thermogravimetric (TG) trace of CNEVER was observed. Thermal stability of the vinyl ester sample containing 40 wt.% styrene was the highest amongst all other prepared systems.     

Chemoselective Heck arylation of acrolein diethyl acetal catalyzed by an oxime-derived palladacycle

A dimeric 4-hydroxyacetophenone oxime-derived palladacycle has been used as a very efficient precatalyst for the chemoselective arylation of acrolein diethyl acetal to give either cinnamaldehyde derivatives or 3-arylpropanoate esters by proper choice of the reaction conditions. The synthesis of cinnamaldehyde derivatives can be performed by Heck reaction of acrolein diethyl acetal with iodo-, bromo- or chloroarenes in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) using K₂CO₃ as base at 120 °C and tetra-n-butylammonium acetate (TBAA) and KCl as additives, followed by acid workup. In the case of 3-arylpropanoate esters the corresponding arylation of acrolein diethyl acetal with iodoarenes can be performed at 90 °C in aqueous DMA using (dicylohexyl)methylamine as base, whereas for bromoarenes the reaction has to be performed at 120 °C using tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB) as additive. Alternatively, this process can be performed under microwave irradiation. These couplings take place in good yields and with lower catalyst loading than with palladium(II) acetate as well as in shorter reaction times and with lower excess of acrolein diethyl acetal.     

Glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) using basic ionic liquids as catalysts

The glycolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was studied using several ionic liquids and basic ionic liquids as catalysts. The basic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxyl ([Bmim]OH), exhibits higher catalytic activity for the glycolysis of PET, compared with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bicarbonate ([Bmim]HCO₃), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Bmim]Br). FT-IR, ¹H NMR and DSC were used to confirm the main product of glycolysis was bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) monomer. The influences of experimental parameters, such as the amount of catalyst, glycolysis time, reaction temperature, and dosages of ethylene glycol on the conversion of PET, yield of BHET were investigated. The results showed a strong influence of the mixture evolution of temperature and reaction time on depolymerization of PET. Under the optimum conditions of m(PET):m(EG): 1:10, dosage of [Bmim]OH at 0.1 g (5 wt%), reaction temperature 190 °C and time 2 h, the conversion of PET and the yield of BHET were 100% and 71.2% respectively. Balance between the polymerization of BHET and depolymerization of PET could be changed when the reaction time was more than 2 h and contents of catalyst and EG were changed.     

Organocatalysis in aqueous micellar medium: a new protocol for the synthesis of [1,2,4]-triazolyl-thiazolidinones

A new environmentally friendly methodology for the efficient synthesis of biologically significant triazole thiazolidinone hybrids in aqueous medium, using acetic acid as an organocatalyst in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant has been developed for the first time. The effect of several surfactants on the yield and completion time of the reaction was investigated and it was found that the use of CTAB at 60 °C gave the best results (79–96% in 20 min–35 min) for the synthesis of the target compounds.     

Copper-catalyzed tandem reactions of 2-halobenzenamines with isothiocyanates under ligand- and base-free conditions

A ligand-free copper-catalyzed reaction of 2-halobenzenamines with isothiocyanates has been developed for the synthesis of 2-aminobenzothiazoles. In the presence of CuBr and TBAB (tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide, additive), a variety of 2-halobenzenamines underwent the reaction with isothiocyanates at 40 °C, affording 2-aminobenzothiazoles in moderate to excellent yields. It is noteworthy that the reaction is conducted under mild, relatively low catalyst loading, and ligand- and base-free conditions.     

Catalytic cyanosilylation of ketones using organic catalyst 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine

1,1,3,3-Tetramethylguanidine acts as a highly effective catalyst for cyanosilylation of various ketones and aldehydes to the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ethers in up to 99% yield. The reaction proceeds smoothly with 0.1 mol % catalyst loading at 25 °C under solvent-free conditions.     

Chemical catalysed recycling of waste polymers: Catalytic conversion of polypropylene into fuels and chemicals over spent FCC catalyst in a fluidised-bed reactor

Polypropylene (PP) was pyrolysed over spent FCC commercial catalyst (FCC-s1) using a laboratory fluidised-bed reactor operating isothermally at ambient pressure. The influence of reaction conditions including catalyst, temperature, and ratio of polymer to catalyst feed and flow rates of fluidising gas was examined. The yield of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbon products at 390 °C for spent FCC commercial catalyst (87.8 wt%) gave much higher yield than silicate (only 17.1 wt%). Greater product selectivity was observed with FCC-s1 as a post-use catalyst with about 61 wt% olefins products in the C₃-C₇ range. The selectivity could be further influenced by changes in reaction conditions. Valuable hydrocarbons of olefins and iso-olefins were produced by low temperatures and short contact times used in this study. It is also demonstrated that a post-use catalyst system under appropriate conditions the resource potential of polymer waste can be economically recovered and also can address the recycling desire to see an alternative to solve a major environment problem.     

Direct synthesis of primary arylamines via C-N cross-coupling of aryl bromides and triflates with amides

Aryl halides and triflates are coupled with primary amides to give the corresponding arylamines in the presence of a palladium catalyst, a suitable ligand, and a base. The catalyst system performs well for a large number of different substrates at 100-150 °C without solvent, and with low catalyst levels (0.12 mol % Pd). Nicotinamide might be useful as a nitrogen source in the Pd-catalyzed amination reaction.     

Synthesis of diarylmethane derivatives from Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of benzylic halides with arylboronic acids

A simple catalyst precursor prepared in situ from palladium acetate and triphenylphosphine shows high activity for the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of benzylic bromides and chlorides with aryl boronic acids. The reaction can be carried out at low catalyst loading (0.002-1 mol%) and under mild conditions (room temperature to 80 °C) furnishing diarylmethane derivatives in high yields (86-99%).     

Copper-catalyzed direct preparation of diaryl sulfides from aryl iodides using potassium thiocyanate as a sulfur transfer reagent

A method for direct preparation of diaryl sulfides from aryl iodides using potassium thiocyanate as a sulfur-transfer agent is reported. A catalyst system comprising of a simple copper salt, tetrabutylammonium bromide as a phase-transfer agent and water as the solvent is used. Microwave heating at 200 °C for 60 min allows for the conversion of a range of aryl iodides to the corresponding diaryl sulfides.     

Iodine-catalyzed one-pot three-component synthesis of homoallyl benzyl ethers from aldehydes

Iodine has been found to be an effective catalyst for one-pot synthesis of homoallyl benzyl ethers under mild reaction conditions. Various homoallyl benzyl ethers were synthesized in moderate to high yield by three-component condensation of aldehydes, benzyloxytrimethylsilane, and allyltrimethylsilane in presence of iodine (10 mol %) in dichloromethane at 0 °C.     

Ring opening of epoxides with alcohols using Fe(Cp)2BF4 as catalyst

Fe(Cp)₂BF₄ is an efficient catalyst for the alcoholysis of aromatic, aliphatic, and cyclic epoxides giving excellent yields of the corresponding β-alkoxy alcohols under ambient conditions. The methanolysis of styrene oxide using Fe(Cp)₂BF₄ as a catalyst (5 mol %) gave excellent yield of 2-methoxy-2-phenylethanol with complete regio-selectivity. The ring opening of cyclic epoxides gave 77–97% yields of trans-β-methoxy alcohols, in 0.5–6 h. The use of 1,2-epoxyhexane and 1,2-epoxydodecane as substrates gave both regioisomers in excellent yields. The first order rate of reaction with respect to catalyst was observed for the kinetics of ring opening of 1,2-epoxyhexane with methanol.     

Asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl α-benzamido cinnamate in ionic liquid solvent

The room temperature ionic liquid EMIMOTf was employed as the sole reaction solvent for the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl α-benzamido cinnamate. Under conditions of 60 psi hydrogen and 50 °C for 24 h, near quantitative conversions were observed using both the achiral DiPFc-Rh catalyst, and the chiral EtDuPHOS-Rh catalysts. Enantiomeric excess of 89% ee was observed for hydrogenations carried out with the chiral catalyst.     

Intramolecularly two-centered cooperation catalysis for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2 and epoxides

A catalyst system containing an electrophilic center and a sterically hindered nucleophilic center in one molecule was applied to the cycloaddition reaction of CO₂ and epoxides. This intramolecularly two-centered cooperation catalyst showed activity even at a high [epoxide]/[catalyst] ratio up to 50 000 under mild conditions such as solvent-free, ambient temperature, and low CO₂ pressure. The reaction of CO₂ with (S)-propylene oxide at 80 °C in the presence of the bifunctional catalyst gives (S)-propylene carbonate in 96% ee with retention of stereochemistry.     

Polymeric salen-Ti(IV) or V(V) complex catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of O-acetylcyanohydrins from KCN, Ac2O and aldehydes

Polymeric salen-Ti(IV) and V(V) complexes were employed in the enantioselective O-acetyl cyanation of aldehydes with potassium cyanide and acetic anhydride. The crosslinked polymeric salen-Ti(IV) catalyst exhibited good activities and enantioselectivities, up to 91% ee with 99% conversion was obtained at −20 °C with 1 mol% of catalyst (based on bimetallic catalytic unit). Moreover, six consecutive recyclings with the easily recovered crosslinked polymeric catalyst showed no obvious decrease in either activity or enantioselectivity. Linear polymeric salen-V(V) catalyst showed good catalytic efficiency too, up to 94% ee with 99% conversion was obtained at −42 °C with 5 mol% of catalyst.