Title:Superoxide Ion-Assisted Radical Cascade Reaction: Synthesis of 3-nitro-4-aryl-2H-chromen-2-ones from Aryl Alkynoate Esters under Methylene Blue Visible Light Photocatalysis
Volume: 4
Author(s): Palani Natarajan*, Meena and Partigya
Affiliation:
- Department of Chemistry & Centre for Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160 014,
India
Keywords:
Photocatalysis, nitrocoumarins, nitro-radicals, superoxide ion, aryl alkynoate esters, visible-light.
Abstract:
Background: From an industries and academic perspective, there is a need for a method
for producing 3-nitro-4-aryl-2H-chromen-2-ones from aryl alkynoate esters that is both economic
and environmental benign. In this context, superoxide ion-assisted radical cascade reaction can be
an efficient and greener protocol.
Objective: Herein, we have demonstrated an unprecedented methylene blue (MB) visible light photocatalysis
for the production of a series of 3-nitro-4-aryl-2H-chromen-2-ones from readily available
aryl alkynoate esters and a nitrating agent in solution.
Methods: Synthesis of 3-nitro-4-aryl-2H-chromen-2-ones has been performed in the presence of
aryl alkynoate ester, TBAN, DIPEA, solvent, catalyst and molecular oxygen under visible light irradiation
at room temperature. The products were purified by column chromatography using silica
gel, and the mixture of ethyl acetate/petroleum ether as an eluting solvent and characterized by IR,
NMR and mass spectroscopic analysis.
Results: A series of aryl alkynoate esters were successfully nitrated into corresponding 3-nitro-4-
aryl-2H-chromen-2-ones with good isolated yields by this protocol, in which the key NO2-radicals
formed by the action of superoxide ion (O2−·).
Conclusion: In contrast to the literature-reported methods of synthesis of 3-nitro-4-aryl-2Hchromen-
2-ones, the process described here for making 3-nitro-4-aryl-2H-chromen-2-ones uses
methylene blue visible light photocatalysis, is inexpensive, mild, does not require a metal precursor
or high temperatures, and is successful when using the direct sunlight.