Issue 80, 2015

First report of the application of simple molecular complexes as organo-catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation

Abstract

A series of molecular complexes have been designed, synthesized and used as organo-catalysts for the first time for very efficient Knoevenagel condensation. Molecular complexes are thermally stable, easily recyclable, and have a low cost of preparation. The role of acidic protons in molecular complexes in Knoevenagel condensations has been identified as the key factor and helps us to provide useful information about the reaction pathway. The acidic proton of a catalyst enhances the electrophilicity of an aldehyde and accelerates the dehydration process of the reaction at room temperature (RT). An eco-friendly, green synthetic protocol for the Knoevenagel condensation is used to synthesize a series of important cyano group containing synthetic precursors for synthesis of biologically active molecules at RT using a minimum amount of catalyst (∼5 mol%) without the need for chromatographic separation techniques. Detailed mechanistic studies and substituent effects of aromatic aldehydes on the reaction have been investigated. In addition, biologically active 2-amino-4H-chromene derivatives have also been synthesized by the Knoevenagel condensation of salicylic aldehydes with active methylene compounds, followed by intramolecular cyclization (via Michael addition) delivering higher yields within shorter reaction times at RT without any need for chromatographic separation.

Graphical abstract: First report of the application of simple molecular complexes as organo-catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 May 2015
Accepted
17 Jul 2015
First published
20 Jul 2015

RSC Adv., 2015,5, 65526-65531

First report of the application of simple molecular complexes as organo-catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation

S. K. Panja, N. Dwivedi and S. Saha, RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 65526 DOI: 10.1039/C5RA09036A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements