The cyclocondensation reaction of 2-aminothiophenols with 1,2-biselectrophiles such as ethyl glyoxalate and diethyl oxalate in aqueous medium leads to the formation of benzothiazole-2-carboxylates via the 5-endo-trig process contrary to Baldwin’s rule. On the other hand, the reaction of 2-aminophenols/anilines produced the corresponding benzazine-3-ones or benzazine-2,3-diones via the 6-exo-trig process in compliance with Baldwin’s rule. The mechanistic insights of these cyclocondensation reactions using the hard–soft acid–base principle, quantum chemical calculations (density functional theory), and orbital interaction studies rationalize the selectivity switch of benzothiazole-2-carboxylates versus benzazine-3-ones/benzazine-2,3-diones. The presence of water facilitates these cyclocondensation reactions by lowering of the energy barrier.

Ni–Pd binary nanoclusters are reported for the activation of the C–O bond for Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of bioactive heterocycle-tethered sterically hindered aryl carbonates with aryl boronic acids. The reaction does not take place in the presence of either the Pd or Ni salts/complexes or the individual Pd or Ni nanoparticles, indicating ensembling cooperativity between the Pd and Ni nanoparticles in activating the C–O bond.Keywords: aryl carbonates; bioactive heterocycles; boronic acids; C−O bond activation; ensembling cooperativity; Ni−Pd nanoclusters; sterically hindered; Suzuki−Miyaura coupling;

Cross-dehydrogenative coupling of biorelevant heterocyclic scaffolds with arylmethanes for aroylation during Pd(II)-catalyzed C(sp2)-H activation has been achieved through dioxygen activation by NHPI. Mass spectrometry and 1H NMR based kinetic isotope effect studies revealed C–H bond activation as the rate-determining step. Radical scavenging experiments indicated a radical pathway. The 1H NMR of an aliquot of reaction mixture and in situ trapping with 2-aminothiophenol revealed the formation of aldehyde during aerobic oxidation of the arylmethanes. The reaction has broad scope for different variations of the aroyl source and the directing group that includes benzothiazole, benzooxazole, pyridine, quinoxaline, pyrimidine, and azoarene. The benzylic methylene moiety was found to be the source of the aroyl carbon with the benzyl ether moiety being the most preferred followed by the carbonyl group of aryl aldehyde and the aryl methane. However, the ease of availability of aryl methanes makes them the most attractive as an aroyl source. A time dependent selective mono- and bis-aroylation can be achieved. The 1,3-diarylpyrimidines exhibited regioselective aroylation of the 2-phenyl moiety irrespective of the absence or presence of any substitutent (electron withdrawing or electron donating) in the 3-phenyl moiety. For unsymmetrical azoarenes, selective aroylation took place in the phenyl moiety bearing the substituent.

A novel synthetic strategy for phenazine formation is reported following self-coupling of anilines by Pd–Ag binary nanocluster-catalysed synchronous double C–N bond formation via non-radical mode of ortho-aryl C–H activation.

A novel contrast in palladium and copper catalysis is revealed to form products of different chemotypes resulting in a phenazine to azoarene twist through an altered mechanistic pathway (from non-radical C–H activation mode of C–N coupling to radical N–N coupling) during the oxidative self-coupling of anilines catalysed by Pd–Ag and Cu–Ag nanoclusters.

•36 compounds were synthesized using green synthetic protocol.•Twenty-one compounds displayed good in vitro anti-mycobacterial activity.•The most potent 3 compounds exhibited MIC of 0.78 μg/mL with therapeutic index >60.•The 3D-QSAR for anti-TB compounds has been established with significant CoMFA model.The benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(piperazin-1-yl)methanones scaffold has been identified as new anti-mycobacterial chemotypes. Thirty-six structurally diverse benzo[d]thiazole-2-carboxamides have been prepared and subjected to assessment of their potential anti-tubercular activity through in vitro testing against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain and evaluation of cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 cell lines. Seventeen compounds showed anti-mycobacterial potential having MICs in the low (1–10) μM range. The 5-trifluoromethyl benzo[d  ]thiazol-2-yl(piperazin-1-yl)methanones emerged to be the most promising resulting in six positive hits (2.35–7.94 μM) and showed low-cytotoxicity (<50% inhibition at 50 μg/mL). The therapeutic index of these hits is 8–64. The quantitative structure activity relationship has been established adopting a statistically reliable CoMFA model showing high prediction (rpred2=0.718,rncv2=0.995).The benzo[d  ]thiazol-2-yl(piperazin-1-yl)methanones scaffold has been identified as new anti-mycobacterial chemotypes. The quantitative structure activity relationship has been established adopting a statistically reliable CoMFA model showing high prediction (rpred2=0.718,rncv2=0.995).

Guanylhydrazones have been known for a long time and have wide applications in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and material science; however, little attention has been paid toward their electronic and structural properties. Quantum chemical analysis on several therapeutically important guanylhydrazones indicated that all of them prefer the azine tautomeric state (by about 3–12 kcal/mol). A set of simple and conjugated azines were designed using quantum chemical methods, whose tautomeric preference toward the azine tautomer is in the range of 3–8 kcal/mol. Twenty new azines were synthesized and isolated in their neutral state. Variable temperature NMR study suggests existence of the azine tautomer even at higher temperatures with no traces of the hydrazone tautomer. The crystal structures of two representative compounds confirmed that the title compounds prefer to exist in their azine tautomeric form.

2-Styrylquinazolones are reported as a novel class of potent anti-mycobacterial agents. Forty-six target compounds have been synthesized using one pot reaction involving isatoic anhydride, amine, and triethyl orthoacetate followed by aldehyde to construct the 2-styrylquinazolone scaffold. The anti-mycobacterial potency of the compounds was determined against H37Rv strain. Twenty-six compounds exhibited anti-Mtb activity in the range of 0.40–6.25 μg/mL. Three compounds 8c, 8d and 8ab showed MIC of 0.78 μg/mL and were found to be non-toxic (<50% inhibition at 50 μg/mL) to HEK 293T cell lines with the therapeutic index >64. The most potent compound 8ar showed MIC of 0.40 μg/mL with the therapeutic index >125. An early structure activity relationship for this class of compounds has been established. The computational studies indicate the possibility of these compounds binding to the penicillin binding proteins (PBPs).

A novel strategy for direct aryl hydroxylation via Pd-catalysed Csp2–H activation through an unprecedented hydroxyl radical transfer from 1,4-dioxane, used as a solvent, is reported with bio relevant and sterically hindered heterocycles and various acyclic functionalities as versatile directing groups.

The scope and limitations of metal salt Lewis acid catalysts were examined for the selectivity control for the formation of Friedländer and non-Friedländer products during the reaction involving 2-aminobenzophenone and ethyl acetoacetate. Among a pool of metal halides, tetrafluoroborates, perchlorates, and triflates used as catalysts, In(OTf)3 emerged as the most effective catalyst for the selective/exclusive formation of the Friedländer product. The generality of the In(OTf)3-catalysed Friedländer reaction was demonstrated by the reaction of differently substituted 2-aminoarylketones with various carbonyl compounds containing an active methylene group (e.g., β-ketoesters, cyclic/acyclic β-diketones, cyclic/acylic ketones, and aryl/heteroaryl methyl ketones) under solvent-free conditions affording the desired quinolines in 75–92% yields.

A new synthetic strategy of tandem N-aroylmethylation-nitro reduction–cyclocondensation has been developed for the first and generalized regioselective synthesis of 2-aryl quinoxalines adopting “all water chemistry.” Water plays the critical role through hydrogen bond driven ‘synergistic electrophile–nucleophile dual activation’ for chemoselective N-aroylmethylation of o-nitroanilines, that underlines the origin of the regioselectivity, as the use of organic solvents proved to be ineffective. Water also provides beneficial effects during the nitro reduction and the penultimate cyclocondensation steps.

The catalytic potential of different metal Lewis acids has been assessed for the one-pot tandem Friedländer annulation and Knoevenagel condensation involving 2-aminobenzophenone, ethyl acetoacetate, and benzaldehyde to form 2-styryl quinoline under solvent free conditions. While various metal Lewis acids were effective in promoting the Friedländer annulation step, In(OTf)3 was the only effective catalyst for the subsequent Knoevenagel condensation reaction suggesting In(OTf)3 as the stand-alone catalyst for the tandem Friedländer–Knoevenagel reaction to form 2-styryl quinolines. The protocol is compatible with different variations of aromatic/hetero-aromatic aldehydes and α,β unsaturated aromatic aldehydes giving highly functionalized 2-aryl/heteroaryl vinyl quinolines. The catalyst can be recovered and reused to afford the desired product in very good to excellent yields.

Simple, convenient, and green synthetic protocols have been developed for the one pot synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and 2-styryl-3-substituted quinazolin-4(3H)-ones under catalyst and solvent free conditions. The multicomponent reaction (3-MCR) involving isatoic anhydride, an amine, and orthoester afforded the 2,3-disubstituted quinazolin-4(3H)-ones in excellent yields under classical heating at 120 °C for 5 h or under microwave irradiation at 140 °C for 20–30 min. The use of ammonium acetate instead of the amine provides the 2-substituted quinazolin-4(3H)-ones. The reactions are compatible with various substituted isatoic anhydrides, aryl/heteroaryl/alkyl/cycloalkyl amines, and orthoesters. The strategies are extended to the one pot tandem condensation involving isatoic anhydride, an amine, orthoester, and aldehyde to afford highly functionalized (E)-3-aryl/heteroaryl-2-styrylquinazolin/(2-(heteroaryl)vinyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-ones. The applications of the methodologies are demonstrated through the synthesis of various drugs which act on the central nervous system such as methaqualone, mebroqualone, mecloqualone, piriquialone, and diproqualone.

The palladium–nickel binary nanocluster is reported as a new catalyst system for Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of ortho-heterocycle-tethered sterically hindered aryl bromides. The inferior results obtained with the reported Pd/Ni salts/complexes or individual Pd/Ni nanoparticles as catalyst reveal the cooperative catalytic effect of the Pd and Ni nanoparticles in the Pd–Ni nanocluster. The broad substrate scope with respect to variation of the 2-arylbenzoxazole moiety and boronic acids, which offers a means for diversity generation and catalyst recyclability, marks a distinct advantage.

The 2-(2-arylphenyl)benzoxazole moiety has been found to be a new and selective ligand for the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The 2-(2-arylphenyl)benzoxazoles 3a–m have been synthesized by Suzuki reaction of 2-(2-bromophenyl)benzoxazole. Further synthetic manipulation of 3f and 3i led to 3o and 3n, respectively. The compounds 3g, 3n, and 3o selectively inhibited COX-2 with selectivity index of 3n much better than that of the COX-2 selective NSAID celecoxib. The in vivo anti-inflammatory potency of 3g and 3n is comparable to that of celecoxib and the nonselective NSAID diclofenac at two different doses, and 3o showed better potency compared to these clinically used NSAIDs.Keywords: 2-(2-Arylphenyl)benzoxazoles; 3D QSAR; cyclooxygenase-2 selective; in vivo potency; novel anti-inflammatory scaffold;

A series of twenty six structurally diverse α-aminophosphonates have been synthesized and evaluated for in vitro anti-leishmanial activity and cytotoxicity using the MTT assay. Among them, seven compounds (1–7) exhibited anti-leishmanial potency against the L. donovani promastigote with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. The structure–activity relationships were quantitatively evaluated by a statistically reliable CoMFA model with high predictive abilities (r2pred = 0.87, r2ncv = 0.985).

Benzothiazole-2-carboxyarylalkylamides are reported as a new class of potent anti-mycobacterial agents. Forty-one target compounds have been synthesized following a green synthetic strategy using water as the reaction medium to construct the benzothiazole scaffold followed by (i) microwave-assisted catalyst-free and (ii) ammonium chloride-catalyzed solvent-free amide coupling. The anti-mycobacterial potency of the compounds was determined against H37Rv strain. Twelve compounds exhibited promising anti-TB activity in the range of 0.78–6.25 μg mL−1 and were found to be non-toxic (<50% inhibition at 50 μg mL−1) to HEK 293T cell lines with therapeutic index (TI) of 8–64. The most promising anti-TB compound 5bf showed MIC of 0.78 μg mL−1 (TI > 64). The molecular docking studies of 5bf predict it to be a ligand for the M. tuberculosis HisG, the putative drug target for tuberculosis and could serve as a guiding principle for lead optimization.

•Epoxide phenolysis.•Neutral condition.•Silver nanoparticles.•Recyclable catalyst.•Drug synthesis.Chemo- and regio-selective epoxide phenolysis is reported for the first time under neutral condition catalysed by silver nanoparticles. Other metal nanoparticles (e.g., Au, Pd, Cu, In, and Ru) are less effective. The choice of solvent is critical with 2-propanol being the best followed by DEF. Amongst various stabilisers used (surfactants, PEGs, tetra-alkylammonium halides) the tetra-alkylammonium halides are found to be the most effective (TBAF > TBAB > TBACl > TBAI). The role of the silver nanoparticles is envisaged as synchronous mode epoxide-phenol dual activation via a cooperative network of coordination, anion–π interaction, and hydrogen bond. The silver nanoparticles are recovered and reused for five consecutive times. The reaction has been used for the synthesis of propranolol and naftopidil as a few representative cardiovascular drugs.Synergistic activation of epoxide-phenol dual activation catalysed by in situ generated silver nanoparticles is reported for the first time for epoxide phenolysis under base-free conditions that finds application towards the synthesis of various drug molecules.

The catalytic potential of various protic acids has been assessed for the one pot tandem condensation–cyclisation reaction involving an aldehyde, an amine, and thioglycolic acid to form 2,3-disubstituted thiazolidin-4-ones. The catalytic potential of the various protic acids that follows the order TfOH > HClO4 > H2SO4 ∼ p-TsOH > MsOH ∼ HBF4 > TFA ∼ AcOH is improved significantly by adsorption on solid supports, in particular using silica gel (230–400 mesh size), with the resulting relative catalytic potential following the order HClO4–SiO2 > TfOH–SiO2 ≫ H2SO4–SiO2 > p-TsOH–SiO2 > MsOH–SiO2 ∼ HBF4–SiO2 > TFA–SiO2 ∼ HOAc–SiO2. The better catalytic potential of HClO4–SiO2 as compared to that of Tf–SiO2, although TfOH is a stronger protic acid than HClO4, can be rationalised through a transition state model depicting the interaction of the individual protic acid with SiO2. The catalytic efficiency of HClO4 adsorbed on various solid supports was in the order HClO4–SiO2 ≫ HClO4–K10 > HClO4–KSF > HClO4–TiO2 ∼ HClO4–Al2O3. The catalytic system HClO4–SiO2 is compatible with different variations of aldehydes (aryl/heteroaryl/alkyl/cycloalkyl) and the amines (aryl/heteroaryl/arylalkyl/alkyl/cycloalkyl) affording the desired 2,3-disubstituted thiazolidin-4-ones in 70–87% yields (43 examples). The electronic and the steric factors associated with the aldehydes and the amines provide a handle for selective thiazolidinone formation and were found to be dependent on the extent of imine formation. No significant amount of thiazolidinone formation took place during the reaction of the preformed amide (synthesised from the amine and thioglycolic acid) with benzaldehyde suggesting that the reaction proceeds through the initial reversible imine formation followed by cyclocondensation of the preformed imine with thioglycolic acid, the reversible imine formation being the determining step to control selectivity of thiazolidinone formation in competitive environments. The feasibility of a large scale reaction and catalyst recycling/reuse is demonstrated.

A novel strategy of ‘all water chemistry’ is reported for a concise total synthesis of the novel class anti-anginal drug ranolazine in its racemic (RS) and enantiopure [(R) and (S)] forms. The reactions at the crucial stages of the synthesis are promoted by water and led to the development of new water-assisted chemistries for (i) catalyst/base-free N-acylation of amine with acyl anhydride, (ii) base-free N-acylation of amine with acyl chloride, (iii) catalyst/base-free one-pot tandem N-alkylation and N-Boc deprotection, and (iv) base-free selective mono-alkylation of diamine (e.g., piperazine). The distinct advantages in performing the reactions in water have been demonstrated by performing the respective reactions in organic solvents that led to inferior results and the beneficial effect of water is attributed to the synergistic electrophile and nucleophile dual activation role of water. The new ‘all water’ strategy offers two green processes for the total synthesis of ranolazine in two and three steps with 77 and 69% overall yields, respectively, and which are devoid of the formation of the impurities that are generally associated with the preparation of ranolazine following the reported processes.

A new “all-water” tandem arylaminoarylation/arylaminoalkylation–reduction–cyclisation route is reported for one-pot diversity oriented synthesis of regiodefined 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles. Water plays a crucial and indispensable role through hydrogen bond driven ‘synergistic electrophile–nucleophile dual activation’ in the formation of N-mono-aryl/aryl alkyl/alkyl/cycloalkyl o-nitroanilines under metal and base-free conditions to replace the transition metal-based C–N bond formation (aryl amination) chemistry and underlines the origin of regiodefined installation of the diverse selection of aryl, aryl alkyl, and alkyl/cycloalkyl groups as substituents on the benzimidazole scaffold to form the 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles. The influence of the hydrogen bond effect of water in promoting the arylaminoarylation reaction under base and metal-free conditions has been realized through observation of inferior yields in D2O compared to that obtained in water during the reaction of o-fluoronitrobenzene with aniline separately performed in water and D2O under similar experimental conditions. Water also provides assistance in promoting the subsequent nitro reduction and in the final cyclocondensation steps. The role of water in promoting the cyclocondensation reaction through hydrogen bonds is realized by the differential product yields during the reaction of mono-N-phenyl-o-phenylenediamine with benzaldehyde performed separately in water and D2O. The better hydrogen bond donor and hydrogen bond acceptor abilities of water compared to those of the organic solvents are the contributing/deciding factors for making the new water-assisted tandem arylaminoarylation/arylaminoalkylation–reduction–cyclisation strategy for the diversified synthesis of the regiodefined 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles effective in an aqueous medium, making it represent a true “all-water chemistry.”

Synergistic dual activation catalysis has been devised for epoxide phenolysis wherein palladium nanoparticles induce electrophilic activation via coordination with the epoxide oxygen followed by nucleophilic activation through anion–π interaction with the aromatic ring of the phenol, and water (reaction medium) also renders assistance through ‘epoxide–phenol’ dual activation.

Three new, concise, and protecting group-free synthetic routes for (RS)- and (S)-lubeluzole are reported in higher (46–62%) overall yields compared to the reported procedures (6–35%). The key steps involve C–N bond formation via epoxide aminolysis and nucleophilic substitution of 2-chlorobenzothiazole with suitably designed precursor amines and are performed in aqueous medium. Water offers an advantage in promoting the reactions compared to organic solvents and its role is envisaged as hydrogen-bond mediated electrophile–nucleophile dual activation.

The scope and limitations of surfactants as catalysts for the synthesis of quinoxalines using microreactors made of the surfactants in water has been assessed. The catalytic potential followed the order: non-ionic surfactants > anionic surfactants > Brønsted acid surfactants > cationic surfactants. The non-ionic surfactant, Tween 40, is the most effective catalyst affording excellent yields within a short reaction time at room temperature and is compatible with different variations of the 1,2-diketones and 1,2-diamines. The reaction medium (spent water) containing the catalyst, as well as the catalyst itself (recovered Tween 40) can be reused for five consecutive reactions. The better catalytic efficiency of the surfactant (Tween 40) compared to the various Lewis/Brønsted acids, as well as the surfactant combined Lewis acid, suggests that surfactants, which generate microreactor assemblies at the interface, are better suited as catalytic aids to promote organic reactions in water. The inferior results obtained in organic solvents, which provide a homogeneous reaction mixture compared to those obtained in water, indicate the specific role of water. This has been depicted as a synergistic dual activation through the hydrogen bond mediated formation of supramolecular assemblies involving a water dimer and the reactants. The catalytic assistance of the surfactant could be ascribed to the ability of the surfactant molecule to undergo hydrophobic and hydrogen bond forming interactions with water and the reactants in orienting the reactants at the water interface and encapsulating inside the microreactors to facilitate the cyclocondensation.

Selectivity control during the formation of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles has been achieved for the reaction of o-phenylenediamine with aldehydes in the presence of solid supported protic acids as catalysts and choosing an appropriate reaction medium. Perchloric acid adsorbed on silica-gel (HClO4–SiO2) was found to be the most effective catalyst system for the synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles in EtOH at rt. Apart from the catalyst and solvent, the electronic and steric factors of the aldehyde and the electronic factor of the o-phenylenediamine are also significant contributory factors in dictating the selectivity. An understanding of the mechanistic course of the formation of the 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles has been outlined that would rationalise the origin of selectivity control under the set experimental parameters.

The catalytic potential of different fluoroboric acid-derived catalyst systems viz. aq HBF4, solid supported HBF4, metal tetrafluoroborates (inorganic salts), solid supported metal tetrafluoroborates, and tetrafluoroborate based ionic liquids (organic salts) were investigated for the three component reaction (3-MCR) of 1,2-diketone, aldehyde, and ammonium salts to form 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles and the four component reaction (4-MCR) involving 1,2-diketone, aldehyde, amine and ammonium acetate to form 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles. The HBF4–SiO2 was found to be the stand out catalyst for both the 3-MCR and 4-MCR processes. The next most effective catalysts are LiBF4 and Zn(BF4)2 to form 2,4,5-trisubstituted and 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles via the 3-MCR and 4-MCR, respectively. This is the first report on the unaddressed issue of competitive formation of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazole during the 4-MCR involving 1,2-diketone, aldehyde, amine and ammonium acetate and highlights the influence of the catalyst systems in controlling the selective formation of tetra substituted imidazole. The metal salt of weak protic acids drive selectivity towards tetra substituted imidazole in the order tetrafluoroborates > perchlorates > triflates. The catalytic potency of tetrafluoroborates was in the order Zn(BF4)2 > Co(BF4)2 > AgBF4 ≈ Fe(BF4)2 > NaBF4 ≈ LiBF4 ≈ Cu(BF4)2. The developed protocols worked well for different diketones, various aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl aldehydes and in the case of the preparation of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted imidazoles different amines can be used. The effectiveness of different ammonium salts as nitrogen source has been investigated and ammonium acetate is proved to be the best. The HBF4–SiO2 is recyclable for five consecutive uses without significant loss of catalytic activity.

A water-assisted tandem N-alkylation–reduction–condensation process has been devised as a new synthetic route for the one-pot synthesis of N-arylmethyl-2-substituted benzimidazoles. Water plays the crucial and indispensable role through hydrogen bond mediated ‘electrophile–nucleophile dual activation’ in promoting selective N-monobenzylation of o-nitroanilines as an alternative to the transition metal-based chemistry for C–N bond formation (amination) and forms the basis of disposing the substituents on the benzimidazole moiety in regiodefined manner. Water also exerts a beneficial effect in the condensation of N-monobenzylated o-phenylenediamines with aldehydes. The water-assisted C–N bond formation chemistry led to metal/base-free synthesis of N-monobenzylated o-nitroanilines and N-monobenzylated o-phenylenediamines. The indispensable/advantageous role of water in the various stage of the N-alkylation–reduction–condensation process exemplifies an ‘all-water’ chemistry for the synthesis of N-arylmethyl-2-substituted benzimidazoles.

1-Methylimidazole exhibits an unusually high efficiency in promoting the reaction of aryl methyl ketones with DMF-DMA to form (2E)-1-aryl-3-dimethylamino-2-propenones which lacks correlation between the catalytic efficiency and the basicity of 1-methylimidazole in comparison to other amines. An unprecedented supramolecular domino catalysis rationalises the lack of correlation between the catalytic efficiency and basicity of the amines. The supramolecular assemblies have been characterized by mass-spectrometric ion fishing. The time-dependent increase/decrease in the concentration (ion current) of the supramolecular species consolidated the mechanism.

Hydrogen-bond-driven electrophilic activation for selectivity control during competitive formation of 1,2-disubstituted and 2-substituted benzimidazoles from o-phenylenediamine and aldehydes is reported. The fluorous alcohols trifluoroethanol and hexafluoro-2-propanol efficiently promote the cyclocondensation of o-phenylenediamine with aldehydes to afford selectively the 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles at rt in short times. A mechanistic insight is invoked by NMR, mass spectrometry, and chemical studies to rationalize the selectivity. The ability of the fluorous alcohols in promoting the reaction and controlling the selectivity can be envisaged from their better hydrogen bond donor (HBD) abilities compared to that of the other organic solvents as well as of water. Due to the better HBD values, the fluorous alcohols efficiently promote the initial bisimine formation by electrophilic activation of the aldehyde carbonyl. Subsequently the hydrogen-bond-mediated activation of the in situ-formed bisimine triggers the rearrangement via 1,3-hydride shift to form the 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles.

A novel strategy of catalytic green aerobic oxidation by surfactant-mediated oxygen reuptake in water offers a new dimension to the applications of surfactants to look beyond as solubility aids and a conceptual advancement in understanding the role of surfactants in aquatic organic reactions through mass spectrometry guided identification of discrete intermediates.

Hydrogen bond induced reactivity and selectivity control in the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquid catalysed reaction of thiols with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is reported with remarkable influence of the anion and the C-2 hydrogen in catalytic activity and reversal of selectivity.

1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cation based ionic liquids efficiently catalyze N-tert-butyloxycarbonylation of amines with excellent chemoselectivity. The catalytic role of the ionic liquid is envisaged as “electrophilic activation” of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (Boc2O) through bifurcated hydrogen bond formation with the C-2 hydrogen of the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cation and has been supported by a downfield shift of the imidazolium C-2 hydrogen of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([bmim][NTf2]) from δ 8.39 to 8.66 in the presence of Boc2O in the 1H NMR and a drastic reduction of the catalytic efficiency with 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium ionic liquids that are devoid of the C-2 hydrogen. The differential time required for reaction with aromatic and aliphatic amines has offered means for selective N-t-Boc formation during inter and intramolecular competitions. Preferential N-t-Boc formation with secondary aliphatic amine has been achieved in the presence of primary aliphatic amine. Comparison of the catalytic efficiency for N-t-Boc formation with a common substrate revealed that [bmim][NTf2] is superior to the reported Lewis acid catalysts.

The scope and limitations of metal tetrafluoroborates have been studied for epoxide ring-opening reaction with amines, and Zn(BF4)2·xH2O has been found to be a mild and efficient catalyst affording high yields under solvent-free conditions at rt with excellent chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities. The catalytic efficiency followed the order Zn(BF4)2·xH2O ≫ Cu(BF4)2·xH2O > Co(BF4)2·6H2O ≫ Fe(BF4)2·6H2O > LiBF4 for reactions with cyclohexene oxide and Zn(BF4)2·xH2O ≫ Co(BF4)2·6H2O ≫ Fe(BF4)2·6H2O > Cu(BF4)2·xH2O for stilbene oxide, but AgBF4 was ineffective. For reaction of styrene oxide with aniline, the metal tetrafluoroborates exhibited comparable regioselectivity (1:99–7:93) with preferential reaction at the benzylic carbon of the epoxide ring. A reversal of regioselectivity (91:1–69:31) in favor of the reaction at the terminal carbon of the epoxide ring was observed for reaction with morpholine. The regioselectivity was dependent on the electronic and steric factors of the epoxide and the pKa of the amine and independent of amine nucleophilicity. The role of the metal tetrafluoroborates is envisaged as “electrophile nucleophile dual activation” through cooperativity of coordination, charge–charge interaction, and hydrogen-bond formation that rationalizes the catalytic efficiency, substrate reactivity, and regioselectivity. The methodology was used for synthesis of cardiovascular drug metoprolol as racemic and enriched enantiomeric forms.

Supramolecular assemblies formed by a relay of cooperative hydrogen bonds and charge−charge interactions have been identified/characterized by (+ve) ESI and MALDI-TOF-TOF MS and MS−MS studies during the aza-Michael reaction of amines with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in the presence of ionic liquids (ILs) digging out the role of catalysis by ILs, forming the basis of rational design/selection as organocatalysts, and offering a diagnostic model to predict/rationalize the selectivity of the aza-Michael reaction in a competitive environment.

A molecular level mechanism of catalysis by an ionic liquid (IL) is proposed as an “electrophile nucleophile dual activation” through a “relay of cooperative hydrogen bonds and charge−charge interactions”. Spectroscopic (1H NMR and IR) studies were used to probe the involvement of the C-2 hydrogen and the AcO− anion of [bmim][OAc] in the catalysis for O-t-Boc formation. Ion fishing by MALDI-TOF-TOF MS and MS-MS established the hydrogen bonded clusters.

The catalytic application of room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) has been explored to catalyse the reaction of indole with aldehydes to afford bis(indolyl)methanes. The catalytic efficiency of the RTILs derived from butylmethylimidazolium (bmim) cation is influenced by the structure of the imidazolium moiety and the counter anion following the order: [bmim][MeSO4] > [bmim][HSO4] ≈ [bmim][MeSO3] ≫ [bmim][BF4] > [bmim][Br] > [bmim][NTf2] ≈ [bmim][PF6] > [bmim][N(CN)2] ≈ [bmim][ClO4] ≈ [bmim][HCO2] > [bmim][N3] > [bmim][OAc]. Substitution of the C-2 hydrogen in [bmim][MeSO4] decreased the catalytic efficiency. In the 1-methyl-3-alkylimidazolium methyl sulfates, the best results are obtained with the 3-butyl derivative and the catalytic property was retained with ethyl, n-propyl, and n-pentyl groups at N-3 although to a lesser extent with respect to the 3-butyl analogue. However, much reduction of the catalytic effect is observed with n-hexyl at N-3. The method is simple, environment friendly, compatible with various functional groups such as halogen, alkoxy, nitrile and O-t-Boc and gives excellent yields in short times. The catalyst is recyclable upto three consecutive uses. A mechanism has been proposed invoking ambiphilic dual activation role of the IL through the formation of intermediates involving hydrogen bond formation between the oxygen atom of the aldehyde carbonyl (or the transiently formed indolyl methanol in the subsequent step) and the C-2 hydrogen atom of the bmim cation, electrostatic intercation between the quarternary nitrogen atom of the bmim cation with the nitrogen lone pair of electrons of the indole and enforced hydrogen bond formation between the indole N–H hydrogen atom and the anion of the IL. The transient indolyl methanol and intermediate non-covalent clusters were “fished” by MALDI-TOF-TOF MS and MS/MS studies and served as ‘proof-of-concept’ to the mechanistic model.

A convenient and clean “on water”-mediated synthesis of benzothiazoles/benzothiazolines is reported. Aromatic, heteroaromatic, and styryl aldehydes are converted to 2-substituted benzothiazoles in high yields in a one-pot reaction with 2-aminothiophenol in water at 110 °C (oil-bath). Alkyl and aryl alkyl aldehydes afforded the benzothiazolines. The reaction is highly chemoselective with no competitive thia-Michael addition, O-dealkylation/debenzoylation, reduction of the nitro or the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl groups, and substitution of the halogen atom or the nitro group. The reaction is found to be general with respect to the 2-aminothiophenol substrate through the reaction of a few substituted 2-aminothiophenols with a few representative aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. The procedure does not involve the use of any additional reagent/catalyst, produces no waste, and represents a green synthetic protocol.

Perchloric acid adsorbed on silica-gel (HClO4–SiO2) was found to be a new, highly efficient, inexpensive and reusable catalyst for chemoselective N-tert-butoxycarbonylation of amines at room temperature and under solvent-free conditions.

Silica gel (60–120 mesh) efficiently catalyses the opening of epoxide rings by amines at rt under solvent-free conditions providing an easy method for the synthesis of 2-amino alcohols. Aromatic and aliphatic amines react with cyclohexene oxide with exclusive formation of the trans-2-aryl/alkylaminocyclohexanols in high yields. A complementary regioselectivity is exhibited by aromatic and aliphatic amines during the reaction with styrene oxide. The epoxide ring of non-styrenoidal unsymmetrical alkene oxide undergoes selective nucleophilic attack at the sterically less hindered carbon by aniline.

Perchloric acid adsorbed on silica gel efficiently catalyses acetylation of structurally diverse phenols, alcohols, thiols, and amines under solvent free conditions.

Two series of quinoline-based compounds were designed, synthesised and evaluated for anti-tubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC 27294 strain). A new method for Friedländer quinoline synthesis has been developed in water under the catalytic influence of the Brønsted acid surfactant DBSA. Among the forty-two compounds tested for anti-TB activity, twenty-three compounds exhibited significant activity against the growth of M. tuberculosis (MIC 0.02–6.25 μg/mL). In particular, the compounds 3b and 3c displayed excellent anti-TB activity with MIC values of 0.2 and 0.39 μg/mL, respectively, and are more potent than the standard drugs E, Cfx and Z that are clinically used to treat TB. The cytotoxicity of the compounds with MIC ⩽6.25 μg/mL was evaluated against Human Embryonic Kidney 293T cell lines and all of the active compounds were found to be nontoxic (<50% inhibition). The results suggest that the synthesised substituted quinolines are promising leads for development of new drug to treat TB.

Hydrogen bond induced reactivity and selectivity control in the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquid catalysed reaction of thiols with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is reported with remarkable influence of the anion and the C-2 hydrogen in catalytic activity and reversal of selectivity.

1-Methylimidazole exhibits an unusually high efficiency in promoting the reaction of aryl methyl ketones with DMF-DMA to form (2E)-1-aryl-3-dimethylamino-2-propenones which lacks correlation between the catalytic efficiency and the basicity of 1-methylimidazole in comparison to other amines. An unprecedented supramolecular domino catalysis rationalises the lack of correlation between the catalytic efficiency and basicity of the amines. The supramolecular assemblies have been characterized by mass-spectrometric ion fishing. The time-dependent increase/decrease in the concentration (ion current) of the supramolecular species consolidated the mechanism.

A novel strategy for direct aryl hydroxylation via Pd-catalysed Csp2–H activation through an unprecedented hydroxyl radical transfer from 1,4-dioxane, used as a solvent, is reported with bio relevant and sterically hindered heterocycles and various acyclic functionalities as versatile directing groups.

A novel contrast in palladium and copper catalysis is revealed to form products of different chemotypes resulting in a phenazine to azoarene twist through an altered mechanistic pathway (from non-radical C–H activation mode of C–N coupling to radical N–N coupling) during the oxidative self-coupling of anilines catalysed by Pd–Ag and Cu–Ag nanoclusters.

Synergistic dual activation catalysis has been devised for epoxide phenolysis wherein palladium nanoparticles induce electrophilic activation via coordination with the epoxide oxygen followed by nucleophilic activation through anion–π interaction with the aromatic ring of the phenol, and water (reaction medium) also renders assistance through ‘epoxide–phenol’ dual activation.

A novel strategy of catalytic green aerobic oxidation by surfactant-mediated oxygen reuptake in water offers a new dimension to the applications of surfactants to look beyond as solubility aids and a conceptual advancement in understanding the role of surfactants in aquatic organic reactions through mass spectrometry guided identification of discrete intermediates.

A novel synthetic strategy for phenazine formation is reported following self-coupling of anilines by Pd–Ag binary nanocluster-catalysed synchronous double C–N bond formation via non-radical mode of ortho-aryl C–H activation.