Themed collection Green Synthesis
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Emulsion templated scaffolds of poly(ε-caprolactone) – a review
HIPE templated scaffolds of poly(ε-caprolactone).
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1468-1480
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04941K
Synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients using electrochemical methods: keys to improve sustainability
This article summarizes recent examples of synthesis of active ingredients involving electrochemical steps and discusses the merits of electroorganic synthesis in terms of green chemistry.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 619-628
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06296D
Visible light organic photoredox catalytic cascade reactions
We highlight the recent advances in the field of organic photoredox catalytic cascade reactions and describe their mechanisms and applications in organic synthesis.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12914-12935
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04883J
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Immobilisation and flow chemistry: tools for implementing biocatalysis
The application of immobilised enzymes in flow allows for process intensification, reduced reactor volumes and improved safety.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11416-11428
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04315C
Recent advances in (chemo)enzymatic cascades for upgrading bio-based resources
Developing (chemo)enzymatic cascades is very attractive for green synthesis, because they streamline multistep synthetic processes.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 10661-10674
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04243B
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Xylochemicals and where to find them
More than 100 useful ‘xylochemicals’ and their natural origins are offered combined with an overview of comparative petro- and xylochemical approaches to synthetic chemistry.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 9979-9994
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03512F
Recent advances in transition metal-catalyzed (1,n) annulation using (de)-hydrogenative coupling with alcohols
Recent progress in sustainable approaches using (1,n) annulation for the synthesis of stereo-selective cycloalkanes, cycloalkenes and N-heterocycles is discussed.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 9807-9819
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03404A
Photocatalytic cross-couplings via the cleavage of N–O bonds
This feature article summarises the recent progress in the visible light photoredox organic reactions of N-(acyloxy)phthalimide and oxime derivatives via the cleavage of N–O bonds.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 9656-9671
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03598C
Organocatalytic enantioselective reactions involving prochiral carbocationic intermediates
This feature article aims to summarize the exciting advances in organocatalytic enantioselective reactions involving prochiral carbocationic intermediates.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 9178-9191
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03506A
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Advances in photochemical and electrochemical incorporation of sulfur dioxide for the synthesis of value-added compounds
Photosynthesis and electrosynthesis enable the “green” upcycling of SO2 to value-added products.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 8236-8249
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03018C
Visible-light-facilitated P-center radical addition to C
X (X = C, N) bonds results in cyclizations
Different strategies and new P-radical precursor induced C–P bond formation by visible light photocatalysis were summarized.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 7997-8002
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02604F
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Enhanced polysaccharide nanofibers via oxidation over SiliaCat TEMPO
Drawing on independent work carried out by academic and industrial researchers using the immobilized TEMPO catalyst SiliaCat TEMPO, in this study, we show how shifting the carboxylation process mediated by TEMPO in solution to a process mediated by the above-mentioned hybrid sol–gel catalyst allows the synthesis of insoluble polysaccharide nanofibers of superior quality, eliminating waste.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 7863-7868
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02684D
Highly efficient catalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid using bimetallic Pt–Cu alloy nanoparticles as catalysts
Bimetallic Pt–Cu alloy nanoparticles were used as highly active and selective catalysts for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) under base-free conditions.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1183-1186
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05757J
A one-pot two-step synthesis of tertiary alcohols combining the biocatalytic laccase/TEMPO oxidation system with organolithium reagents in aerobic aqueous media at room temperature
A hybrid one-pot tandem protocol combining s-block reagents with enzymes (laccase from Trametes versicolor), in aqueous media, at room temperature and under air, is disclosed.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 13534-13537
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06460F
Nanomicelle-enhanced, asymmetric ERED-catalyzed reductions of activated olefins. Applications to 1-pot chemo- and bio-catalysis sequences in water
Bio-catalytic reactions involving ene-reductases (EREDs) in tandem with chemo-catalysis in water can be greatly enhanced by the presence of nanomicelles derived from the surfactant TPGS-750-M.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11847-11850
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04774D
Intensified recovery of switchable hydrophilicity solvents in flow
Intensified continuous extraction and recovery of switchable hydrophilicity solvents is presented, offering an energy-efficient solvent utilization strategy for green synthesis.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11310-11313
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03819B
Weak base-promoted selective rearrangement of oxaziridines to amides via visible-light photoredox catalysis
The photocatalytic single-electron oxidation of oxaziridines increases their acidity, thus facilitating the application of a weak base feasible for converting oxaziridines to amides.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 9995-9998
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03855A
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Molecular recognition and adsorptive separation of m-xylene by trianglimine crystals
An energy-efficient adsorptive molecular sieving strategy is reported using a crystalline trianglimine macrocycle to separate the elusive m-xylene isomer with over 91% purity.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 9124-9127
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03531B
Tropylium-promoted Ritter reactions
The tropylium ion serves as an excellent and environmentally-benign catalyst for the Ritter reaction.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 8901-8904
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02947A
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Aerobic oxidation and oxidative esterification of alcohols through cooperative catalysis under metal-free conditions
The ABNO@PMO-IL-Br material obtained by anchoring 9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3-one N-oxyl within the mesopores of PMO with bridged imidazolium groups is a robust bifunctional catalyst for the metal-free aerobic oxidation of a wide variety of alcohols under oxygen balloon reaction conditions.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 8897-8900
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02937A
Hydrogen bonding-catalysed alcoholysis of propylene oxide at room temperature
Alcoholysis of propylene oxide is achieved over azolate ionic liquids at room temperature by hydrogen-bonding catalysis, accessing glycol ethers in moderate to high yields with selectivity of >99%.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 8734-8737
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03602E
Electrochemical reduction of fluoroalkyl sulfones for radical fluoroalkylation of alkenes
Radical fluoroalkylation of alkenes has been developed by electrochemical reduction of fluoroalkyl sulfones.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 8750-8753
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03258E
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Artificial plant cell walls as multi-catalyst systems for enzymatic cooperative asymmetric catalysis in non-aqueous media
Immobilization of lipase and palladium nanoparticles onto cellulose creates an artificial plant cell wall structure for dynamic kinetic resolution.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 8814-8817
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02878B
Electrochemical trifluoromethylation/cyclization for the synthesis of isoquinoline-1,3-diones and oxindoles
Herein, we describe a protocol for electrochemical cathode reduction to generate trifluoromethyl radicals.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 8284-8287
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03389A
B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed site-selective N1-alkylation of benzotriazoles with diazoalkanes
The site-selective N1-alkylation of benzotriazoles with diazoalkanes is achieved using 10 mol% of B(C6F5)3 as a catalyst.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 7758-7761
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03048E
Micelle enabled C(sp2)–C(sp3) cross-electrophile coupling in water via synergistic nickel and copper catalysis
A robust and sustainable C(sp2)–C(sp3) cross-electrophile coupling was developed via nickel/copper synergistic catalysis under micellar conditions.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 7629-7632
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02885E
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An alginate-confined peroxygenase-CLEA for styrene epoxidation
An alginate-confined peroxygenase-CLEA has been prepared for the stereoselective epoxidation of cis-β-methylstyrene under non-aqueous reaction conditions. Product titres of up to 48 mM and excellent enzyme turnovers of 96 000 have been achieved.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 5766-5769
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01868J
Low molecular weight and highly functional RCF lignin products as a full bisphenol a replacer in bio-based epoxy resins
A lignocellulose-to-chemicals valorization chain is presented, wherein lignin oligomers obtained from reductive catalytic fractionation are used to synthesize BPA-free epoxy resins.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 5642-5645
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02263F
Visible-light-mediated multicomponent reaction for secondary amine synthesis
The widespread presence of secondary amines in agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, natural products, and small-molecule biological probes has inspired efforts to streamline the synthesis of molecules with this functional group.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 5028-5031
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01560E
Electrochemical synthesis of sulfamides
Organic electrosynthesis enables the formation of symmetrical sulfamides directly from anilines and SO2 mediated by iodide.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 4775-4778
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01428E
About this collection
Chemical Synthesis is the foundation of modern medicines for human health, agrochemicals to boost world food supply, and various synthetic fibers for daily usages, among many others. Despite these undisputed benefits, many state-of-art chemical syntheses are unsustainable from the viewpoint of the feedstocks to the reactions and process technologies used and the amount of waste generated. The emergence of Green Chemistry led chemists to rethink methods for the generation and utilisation of chemical products in every aspect. Green synthesis, as an integral part of Green Chemistry, encompasses the entire lifecycle of chemical synthesis. These include the use of renewable rather than fossil based raw materials, the replacement of stoichiometric reactions by chemo- and biocatalytic alternatives, including photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, the streamlining of synthesis by minimising auxiliary steps such as activation, and protection-deprotection, and the use of continuous processing. This special issue, Guest Edited by Chao-Jun Li (McGill University), Shu Koboyashi (University of Tokyo) and Roger Sheldon (University of the Witwatersrand) will highlight recent advances in these various approaches to the greening of organic synthesis.