Electrochemically induced oxidative cyclization of 2,3‐dihydroxypyridine. Synthesis of a novel highly oxygenated heterocyclic compound

Electrochemical oxidation of 2,3‐dihydroxypyridine in aqueous phosphate buffer solution at a glassy carbon electrode has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry. The results indicate that oxidation of 2,3‐dihydroxypyridine on glassy carbon electrode shows an irreversible feature in aqueous solution. This data indicates that the electrochemically generated pyridindione is unstable and via an oxidative conversion pathway converts to a novel highly oxygenated heterocyclic compound. By means of the obtained electrochemical data, an efficient, one‐pot method for the synthesis of this heterocyclic compound based on the oxidative cyclization of 2,3‐dihydroxypyridine under green conditions, and in a good yield and purity is described. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An efficient synthesis and cytotoxic activity of 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H–benzo[d]imidazole obtained using a magnetically recyclable Fe3O4 nanocatalyst‐mediated white tea extract

A simple and efficient procedure has been developed for the synthesis of biologically relevant 2‐substituted benzimidazoles through a one‐pot condensation of o‐phenylenediamines with aryl aldehydes catalysed by iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ MNPs) in short reaction times with excellent yields. In the present study, Fe₃O₄ MNPs synthesized in a green manner using aqueous extract of white tea (Camelia sinensis) (Wt‐Fe₃O₄ MNPs) were applied as a magnetically separable heterogeneous nanocatalyst to synthesize 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H–benzo[d]imidazole which has potential application in pharmacology and biological systems. Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopies were used to characterize the 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H–benzo[d]imidazole. In vitro cytotoxicity studies on MOLT‐4 cells showed a dose‐dependent toxicity with non‐toxic effect of 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H–benzo[d]imidazole, up to a concentration of 0.147 µM. The green synthesized Wt‐Fe₃O₄ MNPs as recyclable nanocatalyst could be used for further research on the synthesis of therapeutic materials, particularly in nanomedicine, to assist in the treatment of cancer.     

Cyclodextrin‐supported palladium complex: A highly active and recoverable catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction in aqueous medium

A water‐soluble, cyclodextrin‐supported palladium complex (DACH‐Pd‐β‐CD) catalytic system was designed and synthesized, which can efficiently catalyze Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions between aryl halides and arylboronic acid in water under mild conditions. The catalyst was successfully characterized using the methods of transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopies. Furthermore, the catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture and still maintain high catalytic activity after ten cycles. No leaching of palladium into the reaction solution occurred. The advantages of green solvent (water), short reaction times (2–6 h), low catalyst loading (0.001 mol%), excellent yields (up to 99%) and reusability of the catalyst mean it will have potential applications in green chemical synthesis.     

Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of nanochelating based silver nanoparticles against several nosocomial pathogens

The emergence of multi‐drug resistant (MDR) bacteria and dynamic pattern of infectious diseases demand to develop alternative and more effective therapeutic strategies. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most widely commercialized engineered nanomaterials, because of their unique properties and increasing use for various applications in nanomedicine. This study for the first time aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of newly synthesized nanochelating based AgNPs against several Gram‐positive and ‐negative nosocomial pathogens. Nanochelating technology was used to design and synthesize the AgNPs. The cytotoxicity was tested in human cell line using the MTT assay. AgNPs minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by standard broth microdilution. Antibiofilm activity was assayed by a microtiter‐plate screening method. The two synthesized AgNPs including AgNPs (A) with the size of about 20‐25 nm, and AgNPs (B) with 30‐35 nm were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. AgNPs exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive strains. AgNPs were found to significantly inhibit the biofilm formation of tested strains in concentration 0.01 to 10 mg/mL. AgNPs (A) showed significant effective antibiofilm activity compared to AgNPs (B). In summary, our results showed the promising antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of our new nanochelating based synthesized AgNPs against several nosocomial pathogens.     

Greener approach for synthesis of monodispersed palladium nanoparticles using aqueous extract of green tea and their catalytic activity for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction and the reduction of nitroarenes

A facile and green route for the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (NPs) was developed utilizing non‐toxic and renewable natural green tea extract as the reducing, stabilizing and capping agent. The as‐prepared Pd‐NPs@G.Tea extract was characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The Pd‐NPs@G.Tea extract could be used as an efficient and heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki coupling reactions between phenylboronic acid and a range of aryl halides containing iodo, bromo and chloro moieties, and also for the reduction of nitroarenes using sodium borohydride in an environmentally friendly medium. Excellent yields of products were obtained with a wide range of substrates and the catalyst was recycled multiple times without any significant loss of its catalytic activity.     

Fe3O4@SiO2@propyl‐ANDSA: A new catalyst for the synthesis of tetrazoloquinazolines

In this paper, a mild and green protocol has been developed for the synthesis of quinazoline derivatives. The catalytic activity of 7‐aminonaphthalene‐1,3‐disulfonic acid‐functionalized magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Propyl–ANDSA) was investigated in the one‐pot synthesis of new derivatives of tetrahydrotetrazolo[1,5‐a]quinazolines and tetrahydrobenzo[h]tetrazolo[5,1‐b]quinazolines from the reaction of aldehydes, 5‐aminotetrazole, and dimedone or 6‐methoxy‐3,4‐dihyronaphtalen‐1(2H)‐one at 100 °C in H₂O/EtOH as the solvent. The catalyst was characterized before and after the organic reaction. Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Propyl–ANDSA showed remarkable advantages in comparison with previous methods. Advantages of the method presented here include easy purification, reusability of the catalyst, green and mild procedure, and synthesis of new derivatives in high yields within short reaction time.     

Preparation and characterization of copper chloride supported on citric acid‐modified magnetite nanoparticles (Cu2+‐CA@Fe3O4) and evaluation of its catalytic activity in the reduction of nitroarene compounds

A new, powerful and recyclable copper catalyst were prepared by heterogenization of copper chloride using of Fe₃O₄ nano particles modified with citric acid as a linker. This system can catalyze reduction of nitroaren compound to aniline derivatives in the presence of Sodium borohydride as a reduction agent in moderate to good yields. In addition, easy separation and recoverable with an external permanent magnet is the dominant properties of this catalyst (Cu²⁺‐CA@Fe₃O₄).     

Highly efficient AgNO3‐catalyzed approach to 2‐(benzo[d]azol‐2‐yl)phenols from salicylaldehydes with 2‐aminothiophenol, 2‐aminophenol and benzene‐1,2‐diamine

A new, convenient and efficient AgNO₃‐catalyzed strategy for the preparation of 2‐(benzo[d]azol‐2‐yl)phenol derivatives in good to excellent yields (63–98%) is described. The reaction proceeds via condensation/intramolecular nucleophilic addition/oxidation process between substituted salicylaldehydes and 2‐aminothiophenol, 2‐aminophenol or benzene‐1,2‐diamine under mild reaction conditions. Notably, this reaction utilizes cheap AgNO₃ as a readily available and low‐cost benign oxidant at low catalyst loadings with excellent functional group tolerance.