Efficient synthesis of symmetrically substituted pyridines and substituted alkenes through green and heterogeneous catalysis with zinc phosphate

Abstract

This study presents a new environmentally sustainable catalytic method for the synthesis of symmetrically substituted pyridine derivatives and substituted alkene derivatives using zinc phosphate (Zn₃(PO₄)₂·4H₂O) as a non-toxic and green heterogeneous catalyst. The catalytic support was prepared by a co-precipitation method, and it was applied for the first time as a heterogeneous catalyst in organic synthesis. Trisubstituted pyridine derivatives were prepared with excellent yields (82–94%) via a three-component, one-pot synthesis of aromatic aldehydes, substituted acetophenones, and ammonium acetate in the presence of 0.4 mol% of Zn₃(PO₄)₂·4H₂O using an ethanol/water (4/1) mixture as the solvent, while substituted alkenes were synthesized with up to 90% yield using the prepared catalyst. The experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of these new catalytic syntheses that present various advantages such as short reaction times, excellent yields, and an environmentally friendly profile.