Sustainable and solvent-free synthesis of molecules of pharmaceutical importance by ball milling.

The solvent-free mechanochemical reactions under ball milling have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional solution-based chemistry. This approach not only eliminates the necessity for large quantities of solvents and minimizes waste production, but it also facilitates a unique reaction environment that enables strategies, reactions, and compound syntheses that are typically unattainable in solution. This solvent-less synthetic strategy under ball-milling has been well employed in synthetic organic chemistry in accessing various potential organic molecules including pharmaceutically important molecules and pharmaceuticals or drug-molecules.

Recent Developments on the Synthesis of Oxygen- and Sulfur-containing Heterocycles and their Derivatives under Visible Light Induced Reactions.

Visible-light-mediated reactions have recently emerged as a powerful strategy for the synthesis of diverse organic molecules under mild reaction conditions. Usually, the reactions are performed at room temperature and thus sensitive functional groups remain unaffected. Thus, this protocol has received intense interest from academia as well as industries.

Mechanosynthesis of Polyureas and Studies of Their Responses to Anions.

Polyureas (PUs) have already found wide practical applications, and various methods of their synthesis have been reported. In this manuscript, we wished to report the very first mechanochemical approach towards aromatic PUs via reactions between isomeric 2,2'-, 3,3'-, and 4,4'-diaminobiphenyls and triphosgene under solvent-free conditions following ball-milling. By using this synthetic approach, both PUs and azomethine-capped Pus were obtained.

Polymers and Polymer-Based Materials for the Detection of (Nitro-)explosives.

Methods for the remote detection of warfare agents and explosives have been in high demand in recent times. Among the several detection methods, fluorescence methods appear to be more convenient due to their low cost, simple operation, fast response time, and naked-eye-visible sensory response. For fluorescence methods, a large variety of fluorescent materials, such as small-molecule-based fluorophores, aggregation-induced emission fluorophores/materials, and supramolecular systems, have been reported in the literature.

One-pot Synthesis and Photophysical Studies of Α-cycloamino-substituted 5-aryl-2,2'-bipyridines.

A series of α-cycloamine substituted 2,2'-bipyridines 3ae'-3ce' was obtained via the one-pot approach based on ipso-substitution of a cyano-group in 1,2,4-triazines, followed by aza-Diels-Alder reaction in good yields. Photophysical properties, including fluorosolvatochromism, were studied for 3ae'-3ce' and were compared with α-unsubstituted 2,2'-bipyridines. In addition, dipole moments differences in ground and excited states were calculated by both Lippert-Mataga equation and DFT studies and were compared to each other.

TM-Free and TM-Catalyzed Mechanosynthesis of Functional Polymers.

Mechanochemically induced methods are commonly used for the depolymerization of polymers, including plastic and agricultural wastes. So far, these methods have rarely been used for polymer synthesis. Compared to conventional polymerization in solutions, mechanochemical polymerization offers numerous advantages such as less or no solvent consumption, the accessibility of novel structures, the inclusion of co-polymers and post-modified polymers, and, most importantly, the avoidance of problems posed by low monomer/oligomer solubility and fast precipitation during polymerization.

Pillararenes as Promising Carriers for Drug Delivery.

Since their discovery in 2008 by N. Ogoshi and co-authors, pillararenes (PAs) have become popular hosts for molecular recognition and supramolecular chemistry, as well as other practical applications. The most useful property of these fascinating macrocycles is their ability to accommodate reversibly guest molecules of various kinds, including drugs or drug-like molecules, in their highly ordered rigid cavity.

Synthesis of Organosulfur and Related Heterocycles under Mechanochemical Conditions.

In the last few decades, ball-milling has received tremendous attention as a "green tool" for conducting various challenging organic transformations under transition-metal-free and solvent-free conditions. Organosulfur and related heterocycles are ubiquitous in numerous biologically active molecules with potential applications, and those molecules could be synthesized from readily available starting materials under mechanochemical conditions without using any hazardous chemical or solvent. This synopsis highlights the green strategies developed in recent times to synthesize organosulfur and related heterocycles under ball-milling conditions.

Transition Metal- and Oxidant-Free Base-Mediated Selenation of Bicyclic Arenes at Room Temperature.

Bicyclic arenyl selenides are of much importance because of their pharmaceutical applications. A simple method for their synthesis has been developed by a reaction of 2-naphthol and styrenyl selenocyanate/diaryl diselenide in the presence of a base at room temperature. The selenation occurs exclusively at the 1-position of 2-naphthol unit.

Palladium-Catalyzed Ligand-Free Decarboxylative Coupling of α- Oxocarboxylic Acid with Aryl Diazonium Tetrafluoroborate: An Access to Unsymmetrical Diaryl Ketones.

Diaryl ketones are of much importance in organic synthesis as versatile intermediates and in industry for their useful properties. A mild and efficient palladium-catalyzed traditional ligand-free decarboxylative coupling of aryl α-keto carboxylic acid with aryl diazonium fluoroborate has been developed. A series of unsymmetrical diaryl ketones has been synthesized in moderate to good yields using this procedure.

Cu(OAc)-Promoted Ortho C(sp)-H Amidation of 8-Aminoquinoline Benzamide with Acyl Azide: Selective Formation of Aroyl or Acetyl Amide Based on Catalyst Loading.

An efficient method for the C(sp) amidation of 8-aminoquinoline benzamide by acyl azide in the presence of copper acetate has been achieved via C-H activation. Interestingly, the loading of copper acetate has a strong influence on the outcome of the reaction. The use of 1 equiv of copper acetate produces the corresponding aroyl amide, whereas the use of 2 equiv led to acetyl amide.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Remote C-4 Functionalization of 8-Aminoquinoline Amides with Ethers via C-H Activation under Visible-Light Irradiation. Access to α-Heteroarylated Ether Derivatives.

A cobalt-catalyzed selective remote C-4 alkylation of 8-aminoquinoline amides via C-H activation under irradiation with a CFL lamp in the presence of eosin Y at room temperature has been achieved. A series of pharmaceutically important C-4 quinoline amide-substituted ether derivatives has been obtained by this procedure. The C-4 functionalization of quinoline amides with inert ether is of much significance and was not reported earlier.

Transition-Metal-Free Iodine Catalyzed Selenocayanation of Styrenyl Bromides and an Easy Access to Benzoselenophenes via Intermediacy of Styrenyl Selenocyanate.

A convenient procedure has been developed for the synthesis of styrenyl selenocyanates and benzoselenophenes from readily available styrenyl bromides by reaction with potassium selenocyanate in the presence of iodine under specified conditions. A series of both compounds have been obtained by this procedure. The synthesis of styrenyl selenocyanates has not been previously reported, and thus this method is of much significance.

Palladium-Catalyzed Norbornene-Mediated Tandem ortho-C-H-Amination/ipso-C-I-Cyanation of Iodoarenes: Regiospecific Synthesis of 2-Aminobenzonitrile.

Efficient tandem ortho-C-H-amination/ipso-cyanation of iodoarenes was accomplished under a norbornene-mediated Pd-catalyzed process. A series of functionalized 2-aminobenzonitriles with much potential in the pharmaceutical industry were obtained by this protocol. This strategy was successfully employed for substitution with two cyano and four amino functionalities in an arene unit in one step under specified conditions.

Ascorbic Acid Promoted Oxidative Arylation of Vinyl Arenes to 2-Aryl Acetophenones without Irradiation at Room Temperature under Aerobic Conditions.

A convenient and general protocol for oxidative arylation of vinyl arenes by aryl radicals generated in situ from arene diazonium fluoroborates promoted by ascorbic acid in air at room temperature has been developed in the absence of any additive and visible light irradiation. A series of diversely substituted 2-aryl acetophenones have been obtained in good yields by this procedure.

Cobalt-catalyzed intermolecular C(sp(2))-O cross-coupling.

Cobalt(II)-catalyzed C(sp(2) )O cross-coupling between aryl/heteroaryl alcohols and vinyl/aryl halides in the presence of Cu(I) has been achieved under ligand-free conditions. In this reaction, copper plays a significant role in transmetalation rather than being directly involved in the CO coupling. This unique Co/Cu-dual catalyst system provides an easy access to a library of aryl-vinyl, heteroaryl-styryl, aryl-aryl, and heteroaryl-heteroaryl ethers in the absence of any ligand or additive.

A co-operative Ni-Cu system for Csp-Csp and Csp-Csp(2) cross-coupling providing a direct access to unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes and en-ynes.

An efficient cross-coupling of alkynes with alkynyl and alkenyl halides catalysed by a Ni-Cu system without any ligand has been achieved. The reaction is suggested to proceed by Ni(0) catalysis assisted by Cu(I). A series of functionalised diaryl, aryl-alkyl, aryl-heteroaryl, diheteroaryl 1,3-di-ynes and en-ynes are obtained in high yields.

A direct synthesis of selenophenes by Cu-catalyzed one-pot addition of a selenium moiety to (E,E)-1,3-dienyl bromides and subsequent nucleophilic cyclization.

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of selenophenes and selanyl selenophenes has been achieved by a simple one-pot reaction of 1,3-dienyl bromides and 1,3-dienyl-gem-dibromides respectively with KSeCN catalyzed by CuO nanoparticles. Several aryl, alkenyl, heteroaryl, and alkyl substituted selenophenes were obtained with a broad array of functional group tolerance. This is found to be a general methodology for chalcogenophenes being effective for the synthesis of thiophenes too.

Cu-catalyzed Fe-driven C(sp)-C(sp) and C(s)p-C(sp2) cross-coupling: an access to 1,3-diynes and 1,3-enynes.

An efficient Csp-Csp cross-coupling of alkynyl bromide and pinacol ester of alkynyl boronic acid catalyzed by CuFe2O4 nanoparticles has been accomplished in dimethyl carbonate to produce unsymmetric 1,3-diynes. This protocol is also extended for the Csp-Csp2 coupling of alkynyl bromide and alkenyl boronic acid to provide conjugated 1,3-enynes. The aliphatic, aromatic, and heteroaromatic alkynes couple with various substituted alkynyl/alkenyl boronates/boronic acids by this procedure to furnish a library of 1,3-diynes and enynes in high yields.

tert-Butyl nitrite mediated regiospecific nitration of (E)-azoarenes through palladium-catalyzed directed C-H activation.

An efficient protocol for the Pd-catalyzed regiospecific ortho-nitration of (E)-azoarenes has been achieved for the first time using tBuONO as a nitrating agent under atmospheric oxygen. A series of both symmetrical and unsymmetrical azoarenes were nitrated efficiently by this procedure providing excellent chemo- and regioselectivity and compatibility with a broad array of functional groups.

ZnO-supported Pd nanoparticle-catalyzed ligand- and additive-free cyanation of unactivated aryl halides using K4[Fe(CN)6].

The use of a new ZnO-supported palladium(0) nanoparticle catalyst for the cyanation of aryl halides using a relatively benign cyanide source, K4[Fe(CN)6], is described. This catalyst has been applied for the efficient cyanation of a variety of functionalized aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides. This process circumvents the need for an additive and a ligand for the reaction and offers the advantages of high product yields, low catalyst loading (0.

Visible light photocatalyzed direct conversion of aryl-/heteroarylamines to selenides at room temperature.

A novel strategy for the direct conversion of aryl- and heteroarylamines to selenides has been developed via diazotization of amines with tert-butyl nitrite in neutral medium followed by reaction with diaryl/diheteroaryl/dialkyl diselenides in one pot under photocatalysis at room temperature in the absence of any metal. This reaction is also applied for the synthesis of tellurides. The selenylation of heteroarylamine by this protocol is of much significance because of the difficulty in diazotization of these molecules by a standard diazotization method in acid medium.

Copper-assisted nickel catalyzed ligand-free C(sp2)-O cross-coupling of vinyl halides and phenols.

A convenient and efficient protocol has been achieved for the cross-coupling of phenols and vinyl halides by a unique Ni/Cu catalytic system for the first time, where the reaction is catalyzed by Ni and Cu is involved in the transmetalation process. This procedure provides an easy access to a library of aryl-vinyl and aryl-styrenyl ethers.

Heterogeneous Cu(II) -catalysed solvent-controlled selective N-arylation of cyclic amides and amines with bromo-iodoarenes.

A selective N-arylation of cyclic amides and amines in DMF and water, respectively, catalysed by Cu(II) /Al2 O3 has been achieved. This protocol has been employed for the synthesis of a library of arenes bearing a cyclic amide and an amine moiety at two ends, including a few scaffolds of therapeutic importance. The mechanism has been established based on detailed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) studies of the catalyst at different stages of the reaction.