Abstract: The concept of being green and sustainable is an overarching school of thought or philosophy which can be concretised in organic synthesis via multicomponent reactions (MCRs).
MCRs have been gaining significance and attention over the past decade because they are able to furnish complex products by using readily-available and simple starting materials while simultaneously removing the need to separate and purify any intermediates.
More so, most of these products are heterocyclic in nature and have been reported to exhibit diverse biological activities as well as fluorescent properties. In our ongoing research, piperazine supported on the polymeric sulfonic acid resin Amberlyst® 15 was discovered to be a novel, cheap and easily-prepared catalyst that can be utilised to synthesise 2-amino-3-cyanochromenes, chromeno[2,3-b]pyridines and chromeno [2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives (33 examples) in good yields using ethanol/methanol as solvents via 3- and 4-component MCRs.
This has never been achieved while using the same type of catalyst. In addition, the activity of the heterogeneous metal-free catalyst DABCO supported on Amberlyst® 15 was explored in relation to the synthesis of tetrahydronaphthalenes and 2-amino-3-cyanopyridines (22 examples). Interestingly, the concept of union of MCRs was also attempted to successful results (2 examples) in a combination which is unprecedented.
The Speaker: Roderick Abdilla is a PhD student in green organic synthesis and a former chemist in industry. The major expertise lies in the application and development of heterogeneous catalysts in complex multicomponent reactions. Past experience involved applying chemistry in maintaining a wastewater treatment plant and testing waste and boiler water at the incinerator plant in Marsa.
Note: For any information about this event email the organiser, Prof. Noel Aquilina, via email.
