Sedigheh Alavinia,
Ramin Ghorbani-Vaghei*,
Ramin Ghiai and
Alireza Gharehkhani
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, 6517838683, Iran. E-mail: rgvaghei@yahoo.com; ghorbani@basu.ac.ir; Fax: +98 81 38380647
First published on 4th April 2023
In this paper, we aim at synthesizing a new nanocomposite material in which bentonite acts as a nucleation site for MgFe2O4 nanoparticles precipitation in the attendance of an external magnetic field (MgFe2O4@Bentonite). Moreover, poly(guanidine-sulfonamide), as a novel kind of polysulfonamide, was immobilized on the surface of the prepared support (MgFe2O4@Bentonite@PGSA). Finally, an efficient and environment-friendly catalyst (containing nontoxic polysulfonamide, copper, and MgFe2O4@Bentonite) was prepared by anchoring a copper ion on the surface of MgFe2O4@Bentonite@PGSAMNPs. The synergic effect of MgFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), bentonite, PGSA, and copper species was observed while conducting the control reactions. The synthesized Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu, which was characterized using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, was applied as a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst to synthesize 1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c] pyrazole yielding up to 98% at 10 minutes. Excessive yield, quick reaction time, using water solvent, turning waste to wealth, and recyclability are the important advantages of the present work.
1,4-Dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole is a specific heterocyclic pharmacophore with diverse medicinal chemistry and several interesting pharmacological and therapeutic characteristics.15–18 Moreover, it is used as the core moiety to prepare many well-known drugs having antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and several other pharmaceutical and bioorganic features (Fig. 1).
Recently, several catalytic systems have been developed to enhance the reaction conditions. Notably, each technique involves specific advantages and opens a new horizon in synthesizing 1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c] pyrazole18–25 (Scheme 1). Nevertheless, such catalytic systems have shortcomings such as long reaction time, tedious workup, difficult reusability and recovery of precious metal catalysts, and environmental hazards.
Regarding the growing interest of organic chemists in nanocomposites, several studies have been conducted on these materials due to the unique surface and physical properties of these heterogeneous catalysts in different organic reactions.26–31 Nowadays, magnetic nanoparticles, which are one of the most influential factors in the nanomaterial family, have been extensively employed in different sciences, consisting of drug shipping, sickness recognition, water desalination, and chemical catalysis.3,31 Among magnetic nanoparticles, nanophase spinel ferrites with superparamagnetic behavior are presently utilized in drug transport, microwave devices, catalytic activity, and magnetic imaging.4,32–35 As valuable materials, ferrites are compounds with different and useful physical properties along with high chemical stability and low production cost.36 Among diverse structures, spinel ferrites are the most important class and are divided into normal and inverse forms, in which Mg/Fe2O4 has great applicability owing to its potential for use in different fields.37,38 In this regard, the functionalization of ferrite-based nanocomposites is a useful method to improve the physicochemical features and compatibility. Ferrite magnetic nanoparticles can be functionalized with organic and inorganic compounds such as rice husk, ash, chitosan, activated carbon, and clay materials to synthesize nanocomposites based on ferrites.29,39–41
Clay materials, such as quartz, talc, calcite, and dolomite, have three-dimensional porous frameworks, tunable surface functionalities, large surface area, and pore channels with regular geometry.40–42 Because of their inherent advantages, clays have been widely used in constructing biomedicine, chemical sensing, heterogeneous catalysts, and dye adsorption.43 Therefore, synthesizing magnetic clay to develop atom-economic reactions and reduce negative environmental impact can be a useful process.
In this regard, magnetic clay is a promising inorganic compound incorporated in a polymer matrix to synthesize a polymer/clay nanocomposite.28,44 However, this system offers low compatibility between the polymer and clay, leading to a defective structure and irregular morphology. In this respect, the choice of the polymer and clay matrix pair is very important in polymer/clay construction regarding its role in their performance and morphology.
Polysulfonamides are among the other highly-interesting compounds used in medicinal chemistry and to prepare heterogeneous catalysis.45 Polysulfonamides have good chemical stability, great surface area, and low skeleton density.45–47 The final structure of the polysulfonamides was controlled by the appropriate selection of the monomers. In this sense, guanidine has been used to prepare a novel organic polymer support (PGSA) (Fig. 2).
Herein, regarding the abovementioned points and following our current efforts in exploring green catalytic protocols toward chemical synthesis, a new organometallic nanocatalyst is synthesized, which consists of magnetic bentonite and PGSA and offers the advantages of both materials. Furthermore, the problem of separation was directly solved in a sense that the number of active sites having nanomagnetic features increased. Copper ions were then successfully decorated on the prepared support (Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu) (Fig. 2). Eventually, the nanocatalyst was successfully incorporated in a three-component reaction to prepare the new pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles. This pharmaceutically valuable nanocatalyst was fabricated through mild reaction conditions using H2O with short reaction times (Scheme 2). Notably, this study is the first report on the catalytic application of Bentonite@MgFe2O4 @PGSA/Cu MNPs.
Scheme 2 Synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives using Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu nanocomposite. |
Materials and equipment | Purity and brand |
---|---|
Bentonite stone | Sigma Aldrich (≥99.995%) |
Guanidine | Sigma Aldrich (99.9%) |
FeCl2·4H2O | Sigma Aldrich (98%) |
FeCl3·6H2O | Sigma Aldrich (≥98%) |
K2CO3 | Merck (98%) |
Sodium hydroxide | Merck (97%) |
Ethanol | Sigma Aldrich (97%) |
Acetonitrile | Merck (98%) |
Sodium borohydride | Sigma Aldrich (≥96%) |
FT-IR analysis | Shimadzu IR-470 spectrometer |
EDX analysis | Numerix DXP-X10P |
SEM analysis | Sigma-Zeiss microscope |
TEM analysis | Philips Cm 12 instrument |
XRD analysis | JEOL JDX-8030 (30 kV, 20 mA) |
NMR analysis | Varian Unity Inova 500 MHz |
Ultrasound cleaning bath | KQ-250 DE (40 kHz, 250 W) |
Melting point measurement | Electrothermal 9100, made in UK |
Fig. 3 FT-IR spectra of (a) Bentonite@MgFe2O4, (b) PGSA, (c) MgFe2O4@Bentonite@PGSA, (d) MgFe2O4@Bentonite@PGSA/Cu. |
Structural identification of PGSA, Bentonite@MgFe2O4, Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA, and Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu nanocomposite systems was also carried out using XRD analysis (Fig. 4). Considering the XRD pattern of PGSA, the diffraction peaks at 2θ = 27.8°, 29.72°, and 30.67° are related to the triazine, guanidine, and sulfonamide groups, respectively, and have good crystalline properties (Fig. 4a). Regarding the XRD pattern of Bentonite@MgFe2O4, the diffraction peaks at 2θ = 23° and 28° can be attributed to bentonite, and the peaks at 61° and 69° belong to MgFe2O4. Moreover, Fig. 4c shows the XRD pattern of Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA. The observed peaks indicate PGSA layers around Bentonite@MgFe2O4, confirming the formation of the Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA core–shell (Fig. 4c). Regarding the Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu nanocomposite, the immobilization of copper ion on Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA does not affect the crystal structure of Bentonite@MgFe2O4. In this figure, distinct peaks in 2θ = 21.4 and 28.3° regions are indexed to copper metal that overlaps with peaks related to PGSA (Fig. 4d).
Fig. 4 XRD spectrum of (a) PGSA, (b) Bentonite@MgFe2O4, (c) Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA, (d) Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu. |
The FESEM images of Bentonite@MgFe2O4 (Fig. 5A and B) revealed the existence of spherical MgFe2O4 NPs over the bentonite matrix. Notably, the average grain size was 20–35 nm. The FE-SEM image indicates the layered structure of PGSA (Fig. 5C and D). The FE-SEM image of Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA shows the layered structure of PGSA, as formed on the surface of MgFe2O4@Bentonite nanocomposite. The presence of PGSA is an essential factor to prevent agglomeration. The figure shows the coexistence of Bentonite@MgFe2O4 and PGSA on the surface of the prepared catalyst (Fig. 5E). The surface morphology of Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu is shown in Fig. 5F. This figure shows the coexistence of Bentonite@MgFe2O4 and PGSA on the surface of the prepared catalyst. Significantly, the distribution of copper ions on the surface of Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA did not change the support morphology.
Fig. 5 FESEM image of (A and B) Bentonite, (C and D) PGSA, (E) Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA, (F) Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu. |
The size distribution of Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu MNPs was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (Fig. 6A–D). The TEM images of Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu MNPs show some specific aggregation (Fig. 6A and B), probably due to the magnetic nature of MgFe2O4, which indicates that the coatings were not much effective in stopping the aggregation. Overall, these observations confirm the successful coating of PGSA (the bright area) on Bentonite@MgFe2O4 (i.e., the dark area). Besides, a sharp gap between the support and shell proves the support's spherical solid morphology. Furthermore, a stacking texture with slight aggregation is developed regarding the interparticle magnetic attractions. At the same time, copper loading did not change the support morphology, and the prepared catalyst showed some features of the crystalline structure.
Fig. 6 HRTEM image of Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu MNPs at different scale 2μm (A), 500 nm (B and C), 100 nm (D). |
EDAX analysis confirmed the presence of C, N, O, and S elements for PGSA (Fig. 7A) and Fe, O, Mg, and Al for Bentonite@MgFe2O4 (Fig. 7B). The EDX analysis of Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu nanocomposite confirms the presence of all studied elements (Fig. 7C). The elemental mapping study of Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu MNPs indicates the uniform distribution of elemental components in the prepared structure (Fig. 8).
Fig. 7 EDX spectrum of (A) PGSA, (B) Bentonite@MgFe2O4, (C) Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu nanocomposite. |
Fig. 9 illustrates the 1H NMR spectra of PGSA. The peaks corresponding to the aromatic groups appear in the range of 7.06–7.62 ppm, while the amine peaks appear in the range of 7.96–8.26 ppm.
Entry | Cat. (mol%) | Solvent | Time (min) | Yielda (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|
a Isolated yield.b The model reaction was examined in the presence of Bentonite@MgFe2O4.c The model reaction was examined in the presence of PGSA.d The model reaction was examined in the presence of Bentonite@MgFe2O4 @PGSA.e The model reaction was examined in the presence of Bentonite@MgFe2O4/Cu. | ||||
1 | — | H2O | 30 | N.R. |
2 | Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu (0.2) | DMF | 30 | 80 |
3 | Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu (0.2) | Toluene | 60 | 68 |
4 | Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu (0.2) | EtOH | 15 | 90 |
5 | Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu (0.2) | Solvent-free | 30 | 72 |
6 | Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu (0.2) | H2O | 10 | 98 |
7 | Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu (0.1) | H2O | 10 | 73 |
8 | Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu (0.3) | H2O | 10 | 96 |
9b | Bentonite@MgFe2O4 (0.05 g) | H2O | 30 | 65 |
10c | PGSA (0.05 g) | H2O | 30 | 55 |
11d | Bentonite@MgFe2O4 @PGSA (0.05 g) | H2O | 20 | 83 |
12e | Bentonite@MgFe2O4/Cu (0.2) | H2O | 30 | 75 |
The generality and scope of the reaction were explored on numerous aldehydes under the optimum conditions, the results of which are given in Table 3. In this sense, the electron-withdrawing groups on aromatic aldehydes yielded the desired alcohols in high yields and high reaction rates (entries 1–5). Although the electron-donating groups also led to high yielded additions, the rates of conversion were higher (entries 6–8). Moreover, this methodology was successfully used for heteroaromatic benzaldehydes such as thiophene-2-carbaldehyde, furfural, and isonicotinaldehyde (entries 9–11), producing the corresponding product in excellent yield without forming any byproduct. Furthermore, reactions with 2-naphthaldehyde and [1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carbaldehyde afforded the corresponding products in high yields (entries 12–13).
Entry | Substrate | Product | Time (min) | Yieldb (%) | Melting point (°C) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Measured | Literature | |||||
a Reaction conditions: benzaldehyde derivatives (1 mmol), ethyl acetoacetate (1 mmol), hydrazine hydrate (1 mmol), malononitrile (1 mmol); and Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu (0.2 mol%) were stirred at room temperature.b Isolated yield. | ||||||
1 | 20 | 90 | 262–264 | 262–264 (ref. 42) | ||
2 | 20 | 92 | 82–83 | 82–83 (ref. 42) | ||
3 | 25 | 90 | 247–249 | 247–249 (ref. 43) | ||
4 | 20 | 94 | 240–242 | 240–242 (ref. 43) | ||
5 | 15 | 95 | 97–98 | 95–97 (ref. 43) | ||
6 | 10 | 98 | 243–245 | 244–245 (ref. 43) | ||
7 | 10 | 95 | 244–246 | 244–246 (ref. 43) | ||
8 | 10 | 98 | 258–260 | 259–261 (ref. 43) | ||
9 | 10 | 91 | 69–70 | 69–70 (ref. 42) | ||
10 | 10 | 95 | 211–212 | 212–213 (ref. 42) | ||
11 | 10 | 94 | 241–243 | 240–242 (ref. 42) | ||
12 | 15 | 93 | 224–226 | 226–228 (ref. 43) | ||
13 | 15 | 88 | 220–221 | 224–225 (ref. 43) |
Scheme 3 The plausible reaction mechanism of Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu-catalyzed synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles. |
The recovery and reusability of the nanomagnetic catalysts were completed to examine the stability and preservation of the catalytic activity. The reaction was done in the presence of the six-time recycled Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu without a notable decrease in the activity (Fig. 10). The negligible decrease is due to the catalyst loss during the recycling procedure (the concentration of silver was determined by ICP-AES that changed 1.3% to 1.28% after the 6th run). Therefore, the Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu are highly stable under the studied reaction conditions.
Fig. 10 Recycling of the Bentonite@MgFe2O4@PGSA/Cu for the reaction of benzaldehyde, ethyl acetoacetate, hydrazine hydrate, and malononitrile. |
Footnote |
† Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ra00049d |
This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2023 |