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Sustainable Strategies for the Synthesis of Organics and Nanomaterials
Citation:
VARMA, R. S. Sustainable Strategies for the Synthesis of Organics and Nanomaterials. Presented at Department of Chemistry, University Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, FRANCE, June 08, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public
Description:
The presentation summarizes recent activity in eco-friendly chemical synthesis, which involves benign alternatives, such as the use of supported reagents, and greener reaction medium in aqueous or solvent-free conditions. The synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, coupling reactions, and a variety of name reactions 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 or under solvent-free MW conditions. Shape-controlled aqueous synthesis of noble nanostructures via benign methods using vitamins and MW-assisted spontaneous reduction of noble metal salts using sugars and glutathione will be presented. A general MW method has been developed that accomplishes the cross-linking reaction of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with metallic systems such as Pt, Cu, and In; bimetallic systems, namely Pt-In, Ag-Pt, Pt-Fe, Cu-Pd, Pt-Pd and Pd-Fe;3b and SWNT, MWNT, and C-60. The strategy is extended to the formation of biodegradable carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) composite films with noble nanometals; such metal decoration and alignment of carbon nanotubes in CMC is possible using MW approach which also enables the shape-controlled bulk synthesis of Ag and Fe nanorods in poly (ethylene glycol). MW hydrothermal process delivers magnetic nanoferrites4 and micro-pine structured catalysts are also obtainable in water from readily available metal salts. The sustainable generation of nano particles and their applications in catalysis and environmental remediation will be highlighted.