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Synthesis Under 'Greener' Conditions: Role of Sustainable Nano-Catalysts
Citation:
VARMA, R. S. Synthesis Under 'Greener' Conditions: Role of Sustainable Nano-Catalysts. Presented at International Symposium on Trends on Drug Discovery and Development, Delhi, INDIA, January 05 - 08, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public
Description:
The presentation summarizes our recent activity in chemical synthesis involving benign alternatives, such as the use of supported reagents, and greener reaction medium in aqueous or solvent-free conditions.1 The synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, coupling reactions, and a variety of name reactions2 are the primary beneficiaries as exemplified by the synthesis of N-aryl azacycloalkanes, isoindoles, and dihydropyrazoles, 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles, 1,3-dioxanes, pyrazoles, catalyzed by basic water or polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) in aqueous media in conjunction with microwave (MW) irradiation.2 Vitamins B1, B2, C, and tea and wine polyphenols which function both as reducing and capping agents, provide extremely simple, one-pot, green synthetic methods to bulk quantities of nanomaterials in water.3a Shape-controlled synthesis of noble nanostructures via MW-assisted spontaneous reduction of noble metal salts using sugars will be presented.3b A general method has been developed that accomplishes the cross-linking reaction of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with metallic systems; bimetallic systems;3c and SWNT, MWNT, and C-60.3d The strategy is extended to the formation of biodegradable carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) composite films with noble nanometals;3e such metal decoration and alignment of carbon nanotubes in CMC is possible using MW approach3f which also enables the shape-controlled bulk synthesis of Ag and Fe nanorods in poly (ethylene glycol).3g MW hydrothermal process delivers magnetic nanoferrites4 and micro-pine structured catalysts are also obtainable in water from readily available metal salts.5 The green generation of nano particles and their unique applications in catalysis6,7 and sustainable synthesis will be highlighted.
