Current Microwave Chemistry - Volume 7, Issue 2, 2020

Conventionally, the organic reactions are accomplished by conductive heating with an external heat source like an oil bath. On the contrary, since its inception, the application of microwave irradiation is growing as a suitable alternate heating method in organic synthesis. Microwave heating considerably reduces the reaction time without promoting any side reactions. The fundamental synthetic organic chemistry majorly deals with transition-metal-catalyzed C–C and C–heteroatom bond formation reactions. It is one of the most important methods in contemporary chemistry resulting in a tremendous increment in the applications of these reactions during the last few years. This field has been acknowledged with a number of Nobel Prizes during the last decade (2001, 2005 and 2010). A considerable effort has been done on the continuous development of new ligands and catalysts as well as an increased understanding of the mechanisms for the improvement of the reaction condition. This review focuses on some of the latest developments in the area of cross-coupling reactions aided by microwave irradiation.

Microwave-accelerated methods have emerged as powerful tools in organic synthesis to enhance the reaction rates and provide products with high yields, improved selectivity, lower energy consumption, mild reaction conditions and negligible waste generation. Xanthenes are an important class of biologically important oxygen-containing heterocyclic molecules that possess a multitude of pharmaceutical properties. By considering the medicinal and material significance of these molecules, a large number of synthetic methodologies and catalytic systems have been reported for the synthesis of a wide range of xanthenes in the past. However, the focus of the present review is to summarize various microwave-assisted protocols for the synthesis of diversely substituted xanthene analogues.

Organophosphorous compounds are of potential importance in diverse fields. They are often used as intermediates for making functionalized phosphine ligands as well as find vast applications in the areas of industrial, agricultural and biological chemistry. The microwave-assisted synthesis of C-P bonds has become increasingly popular because of its various advantages over conventional heating in the perspectives of green chemistry. This review article has primarily focused on the synthesis of various organophosphorous molecules via microwave promoted C-P cross-coupling reactions under metal-catalyzed or metal–free conditions over the last two decades. The synthesis of phosphine ligands on 4,4′-bisquinolone structural framework, disubstituted phosphinic acid esters, vinyl phosphines, aryl- and vinylphosphonates, sugar and nucleoside phosphonates, aminobisphosphonates, triphenyl phosphines, water-soluble tertiary phosphine oxides and many other potentially useful organophosphorous compounds have been illustrated critically. The Hirao reaction, Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction and Sandmeyer type of reactions are generally involved in creating C-P bonds. The role of various metal catalysts, solvents, bases, additives and temperature in different literatures are carefully discussed.

Many medium ring-sized heterocyclic motifs are found in naturally occurring compounds of significant biological activity which led to the investigation of the biological activity of simpler heterocyclic compounds accommodating these ring systems. Therefore, the development of newer synthetic methodologies to access such ring systems has remained an important activity over the last few decades. However, common methods of their synthesis are usually associated with thermodynamic disadvantages. Many metal-mediated transformations e.g., Heck reaction, Suzuki reaction, etc. tend to overcome some of these effects but at the cost of environmental disadvantages. In recent years, several green chemical techniques have found useful applications in the synthesis of such ring systems. In particular, the use of microwave technology has provided better opportunities. The present review attempts to highlight many synthetic approaches developed for the synthesis of such heterocyclic scaffolds of pharmacological interest involving condensation reaction, coupling reaction, Multi-component reaction, Cyclo-addition reaction, Dipolar cycloaddition reaction, etc. An emphasis has also been given on the distinct advantages offered by microwave application over classical approaches, wherever such knowledge is available.

Background: The various industrial processes have a diverse effect on the environment through pollution. In view of these observations, some environmentally benign synthetically protocols have developed under green chemistry. For rapid and sustainable synthesis, the microwave irradiation (MI) has gained popularity as a powerful tool compared to conventional synthesis. The present study describes the synthesis of novel substituted 1, 3-diaryl-2-propene-1-one derivative using alumina supported K3PO4-MWI combination. Objective: Chalcones are important compounds which are widely spread in nature like in fruits, vegetables, tea, spices, etc. The 2’-hydroxy derivative of chalcones plays an important role in the synthesis of bioactive compounds. The present communication deals with a convenient and rapid synthesis of 1, 3-diaryl-2-propene-1-one under the support of alumina-tripotassium phosphate and microwave irradiation. Our efforts are focused on the introduction of typical and easier route for the synthesis of title compounds using a microwave. All synthesized chalcones have been screened and evaluated for the antioxidant activity by DPPH and nitric oxide radical scavenging. Some of these compounds are found to be more potent scavengers and may lead to the development of a new class of antioxidants. Methods: The α, β-unsaturated carbonyl functionality contains two electrophilic centers allowing them to undergo addition and cyclization reactions with different nucleophiles. In the literature survey, we found that Chalcones were synthesized using tripotassium phosphate catalyst under refluxing by a conventional method. A novel method for the synthesis of 1, 3-diaryl-2-propene-1-one via Claisen Schmidt has been introduced by reacting substituted 2’- hydroxyl acetonaphthones with substituted aromatic aldehydes under the support of basic alumina –tripotassium phosphate via microwave radiations. Formation of corresponding Chalcones was confirmed by spectral studies followed by their screening for antioxidant activity. The scavenging activity is expressed in terms of % inhibition and IC50 value (μg/ml). Results: The structures of newly synthesized Chalcones were confirmed and in good agreement with obtained spectral analysis such as IR, NMR, Mass and elemental analysis. Commercially available basic alumina and tripotassium phosphate in combination of microwave were utilized and found to be effective, convenient route for the synthesis of 1, 3-diaryl-2-propene-1-one derivatives with desirable yields in short reaction time (5-12 min). The results of antioxidant activity revealed that the IC50 value for compounds 3a, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3j, 3l and 3n are lower than that of standard ascorbic acid to scavenge DPPH radical. This indicates that these compounds are more significant scavengers in comparison with standard drug. On the other hand, compounds 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3g, 3l and 3n are more potent scavengers for NO free radical. Conclusion: We have introduced an efficient, ecofriendly, simple and fast microwave assisted method using basic alumina-tripotassium phosphate for the synthesis of 1, 3-diaryl-2-propene-1- one derivatives. Microwave irradiation provides an effective way for the preparation of Chalcones in terms of several advantages as a simple procedure, short reaction time, milder reaction condition, cleaner reaction and excellent yield. The scavenging activity of chalcones against DPPH and NO free radicals showed excellent properties of antioxidants.

Background: Organoselenides are important building blocks of several biologically important molecules and natural products. Several protocols have been developed by chemists for their synthesis. Transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling is a powerful tool for this purpose in the last two decades. Various transition metal catalysts e.g. Pd, Ni, Cu, In etc. have been used for performing C-Se cross-coupling in the presence or absence of ligands. Objective: Development of a sustainable protocol for transition metal-catalyzed C-Se cross-coupling is the main objective of this research. Recently, Cobalt has been applied as a cheap and sustainable transition metal catalyst in several organic reactions. This protocol is focused on applying cobalt salt as a catalyst for performing C-Se cross-coupling for the first time. Methods: Co(acac)2 has been successfully employed for performing Se-arylations in the presence of CuI, which acts as a co-catalyst under microwave irradiation. NMP was used as solvent and KOH as a reductant in this reaction. Results: Both iodo-and bromoarenes have been used to perform C-Se cross-coupling with diaryl diselenide under this Co/Cu dual catalytic system. The reaction was successful with both electrondonating and withdrawing groups in ortho-, meta-, and para-positions in the aromatic ring of Bromo and iodoarenes. Conclusion: This is an effective protocol for the preparation of organoselenides, catalyzed by cobalt in the presence of copper. The mechanism has been established by several experimental techniques.