The L-proline modified Zr-based MOF (Basu-proline) catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of dihydropyrano[3,2-c]chromenes.

A novel, reusable, and efficient L-proline-modified Zr-based metal-organic framework (Basu-proline) was designed, synthesized, and characterized by Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), elemental mapping, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray Diffraction analysis (XRD), Thermo-Gravimetric-Differential Thermal Analysis (TGA-DTA), and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. Then, its catalytic performance was assessed in the synthesis of dihydropyrano[3,2-c]chromenes via the one-pot, three-component tandem condensation reaction of 4-hydroxycoumarin, aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile. The Basu-proline catalyst exhibited a better efficiency than some reported protocols regarding higher yields, lower reaction times, and simple separation.

An acid-based DES as a novel catalyst for the synthesis of pyranopyrimidines.

Deep eutectic solvents have countless advantages over normal solvents, and in addition to complying with the principles of green chemistry, depending on their nature, they can also act as catalysts. The use of deep eutectic solvents as acid catalysts has several advantages such as non-toxicity, a catalytic effect similar to or higher than the acid itself, and the possibility of recovery and reuse without significant loss of activity. In this project, A novel deep eutectic solvent (MTPPBr-PCAT-DES) was prepared from a one-to-one mole ratio of methyltriphenyl-phosphonium bromide (MTPPBr) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (PCAT = protocatechuic acid) and characterized by various techniques such as FT-IR, TGA/DTA, densitometer, eutectic point, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 31P NMR. Then, it was used as a novel and capable catalyst for the synthesis of pyranopyrimidines from the multicomponent condensation reaction of barbituric acid, 4-hydroxycoumarin, and aromatic aldehydes in mild conditions, short reaction times, and high yields.

Branched montbretin A mimics allow derivatisation and potent amylase inhibition.

Mimics of the complex flavonol glycoside montbretin A in which a flavonol moiety is coupled to a caffeic acid via partially peptidic linkers have proved to be potent inhibitors of human pancreatic alpha-amylase with potential as therapeutics for control of blood glucose levels. After exploring optimal linker length, a synthetic route to a version with a branched linker was devised based on the structure of the enzyme/inhibitor complex. The resultant branched inhibitors were shown to retain nanomolar potency even when decorated with polymers as a means of modifying solubility. Similar improvements, along with nanomolar affinity, could also be achieved through conjugation to cyclodextrins which have the potential to bind to starch binding sites found on the surface of human amylase. Incorporation of a conjugatable branch into this unusual pharmacophore thereby affords considerable flexibility for further modifications to improve pharmacokinetic behaviour or as a site for attachment of capture tags or fluorophores.

Novel UiO-NH2-like Zr-Based MOF (Basu-DPU) as an Excellent Catalyst for Preparation of New 6H-Chromeno[4,3-b]quinolin-6-ones.

A new two-fold interpenetrated pillar-layered metal-organic framework (MOF) was designed and synthesized based on zirconium cations, an amine-functionalized ligand, and a linear exo-bidentate bis-pyridine ligand. The structure of the prepared framework was evaluated using various techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 13C NMR, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), elemental mapping analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Then, catalytic application of the prepared zirconium-based MOF was successfully explored in the synthesis of novel 6H-chromeno[4,3-b]quinolin-6-ones 4(a-l) through a one-pot three-component condensation reaction of 4-hydroxycumarine, 1-naphthylamine, and aromatic aldehydes under solvent-free conditions at 110 °C. The pure products were obtained with high atom efficiency (AE) and short reaction times and characterized by FTIR, NMR, and mass spectrometry techniques.

Application of a novel deep eutectic solvent as a capable and new catalyst for the synthesis of tetrahydropyridines and 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones.

A novel deep eutectic solvent (ETPP-Br/THF-TCA-DES) was prepared by a mixture of ethyl triphenylphosphonium bromide (ETPP-Br) and tetrahydrofuran-2,3,4,5-tetra-carboxylic acid (THF-TCA, mole ratio 7:3), characterized by FT-IR, TGA/DTA, densitometer, eutectic point, and 1H NMR techniques and used as a capable and new catalyst for the synthesis of two sets of compounds: (1) the four new [a(1-4)] and the eleven [a(5-15)] known alkyl 1,2,6-trisubstituted-4-[(hetero)arylamino]-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-3-carboxylates and (2) the two new [b(1-2)] and the eight [b(3-10)] known 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones in DES with short reaction time, high yields, and easy recycling and separation of the DES catalyst. There is a nice consistency between the proposed structure of the DES compound, the integration values of the 1H NMR peaks and the ratio of ETPP-Br to THF-TCA obtained from the eutectic point phase diagram. Also, the decrease in splitting patterns of the peaks in DES, compared to the two starting materials can be the good evidence of the hydrogen bond formation between the two components.

The effective removal of Ni2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ from aqueous solution by adenine-based nano-adsorbent.

The presence of heavy metal ions in drinking and wastewater generates environmental and human health concerns as they are known as cumulative poisons. Therefore, the purification of contaminated waters is an important ecological issue. Various techniques have been developed to address this issue, where adsorption has received widespread attention. The facile synthesis of effective adenine-based nano-adsorbents is reported and adsorptive removal of Ni2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ from aqueous media was investigated by inductively-coupled plasma analyses, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies. The effects of pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, and temperature were optimized. The maximum adsorption capacity was achieved at pH = 7, an adsorbent dose of 25 mg, and an initial concentration of 50 mg L-1 at 25 °C. A thermodynamic study showed that adsorption is an endothermic process, and the Langmuir model fitted well to the ion adsorption data to reveal that the maximum adsorption capacities for Ni2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ were 273.7, 252.4, and 249.8 mg g-1, respectively.

Unexpected synthesis of 4-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-ylsulfanyl)butyl-H-sulfite as a catalyst for the synthesis of pyrazolophthalazines.

Several attempts for preparation of 4,4'-(2-thioxoimidazolidine-1,3-diyl)bis(butane-1-sulfonic acid) were not successful despite taking 2 mmol of 1,4-butane sultone in reaction with 1 mmol of imidazolidine-2-thione. Instead, 4-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-ylsulfanyl)butyl hydrogen sulfite (DISBHS) was prepared unexpectedly, characterized and used for the synthesis of diverse pyrazolophthalazines from the one-pot three component condensation reaction of phthalhydrazide, malononitrile and aldehydes under mild conditions.

A novel and capable supported phenylazophenylenediamine-based nano-adsorbent for removal of the Pb, Cd, and Ni ions from aqueous solutions.

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of chrysoidine (4-phenylazo-m-phenylenediamine) grafted on magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2@CPTMS@PhAzPhDA = FeSiPAPDA) as a novel and versatile adsorbent used for the satisfactory removal of Pb, Ni, and Cd ions from contaminated water via the formation of their complexes. The Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, and Redlich-Patterson isotherm models were studied to reveal the adsorption capability of the adsorbent and were found out that the Langmuir model is more compatible with the nano-adsorbent behavior. Moreover, according to the ICP tests as well as based on the Langmuir isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacity of the FeSiPAPDA-based adsorbent for the Pb ions (97.58) is more than that of Cd (78.59) and Ni ions (64.03).

Design, preparation and application of the semicarbazide-pyridoyl-sulfonic acid-based nanocatalyst for the synthesis of pyranopyrazoles.

A novel, efficient, and recoverable nanomagnetic catalyst bearing the semicarbazide linkers, namely, Fe3O4@SiO2@OSi(CH2)3-N(3-pyridoyl sulfonic acid)semicarbazide (FSiPSS) was designed, synthesized and characterized by the use of various techniques such as FT-IR, EDX, elemental mapping analysis, XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA/DTA, BET, and VSM. Then, the catalytic capability of the novel prepared nanomagnetic FSiPSS catalyst was successfully investigated in the synthesis of diverse pyranopyrazoles through a one-pot four-component condensation reaction of ethyl acetoacetate, hydrazine hydrate, aromatic aldehydes, and malononitrile or ethyl cyano-acetate by the help of ultrasonication in very short reaction time, good to high yields and easy work-up (Fig. 1). Figure 1 Synthesis of diverse pyranopyrazoles by the FSiPSS nano-catalyst.

Preparation and characterization of the pH and thermosensitive magnetic molecular imprinted nanoparticle polymer for the cancer drug delivery.

A novel pH and thermosensitive magnetic nanoparticle polymer composite [poly(NIPAAM@Fe3O4 MNPs/TMSPMC/DOX)] was synthesized by radical polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM) and the methacrylate functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles/DOX complex using AIBN and EGDMA, and used as a drug carrier for the DOX drug delivery. Formation of poly(NIPAAM@Fe3O4 MNPs/TMSPMC/DOX) was confirmed by FTIR, XRD, UV-Vis, VSM, TGA-DTA and SEM. The results showed the high DOX loading controls release. Moreover, it showed the lower critical solution temperature of 40°C which can be beneficial in cancer drug delivery, since the temperature of cancer cells is higher than normal ones, and DOX can be released selectively in cancer cells.

A facile electrochemical method for synthesis of new benzofuran derivatives.

Electrooxidation of 3-substituted catechols has been studied in the presence of dimedone in aqueous solution, using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the quinones derived from catechols participate in Michael addition reactions with dimedone to form the corresponding benzofuran derivatives (6a-c). We propose a mechanism for the electrode process. The efficient electrochemical synthesis of 6a-c has been performed at carbon rod electrodes in an undivided cell using a constant current.