Potential biodegradable face mask to counter environmental impact of Covid-19.

On the eve of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a tremendous increase in the production of facemasks across the world. The primary raw materials for the manufacturing of the facemasks are non-biodegradable synthetic polymers derived from petrochemicals. Disposal of these synthetic facemasks increases waste-load in the environment causing severe ecological issues for flora and fauna.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Site-Selective C-H Bond Activation/Annulation Cascade toward Dibenzoazepinone Skeletons.

A free amine-directed ruthenium(II)-catalyzed hydroarylation and concomitant regioselective transamidation cascade between 2-aminobiphenyls and diversely substituted maleimides is reported, furnishing biologically relevant dibenzo[,]azepinone scaffolds in high yields. The protocol accommodates a range of functional groups and showcases synthesis of dibenzoazepinones bearing amino acid side chains through substrate design.