Enhanced catalysis through structurally modified hybrid 2-D boron nitride nanosheets comprising of complexed 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone motif

Abstract

Tuning the structural architecture of the pristine two dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets through rational surface engineering have proven advantageous in the fabrication of competent catalytic materials. Inspired by the performance of h-BN based nanomaterials in expediting key organic transformations, we channelized our research efforts towards engineering the inherent surface properties of the exclusively stacked h-BN nanosheets through the incorporation of a novel competent copper complex of a bidentate chelating ligand 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP). Delightfully, this hybrid nanomaterial worked exceptionally well in boosting the [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of azide and nitriles, providing a facile access to a diverse variety of highly bioactive tetrazole motifs. A deep insight into the morphology of the covalently crafted h-BN signified the structural integrity of the exfoliated h-BN@OH nanosheets that exhibited lamellar like structures possessing smooth edges and flat surface. This interesting morphology could also be envisioned to augment the catalysis by allowing the desired surface area for the reactants and thus tailoring their activity. The work paves the way towards rational design of h-BN based nanomaterials and adjusting their catalytic potential by the use of suitable complexes for promoting sustainable catalysis, especially in view of the fact that till date only a very few h-BN nanosheets based catalysts have been devised.

Insights into the catalytic potential of a rationally designed magnetic boron nitride nanosheet supported nickel catalyst for the efficient synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines

“…To date, several synthetic approaches for the synthesis of polyhydroquinolines have been reported but due to considerable shortcomings manifested by these protocols, such as prolonged reaction times, acidic or basic conditions, tedious experimental procedures, use of expensive metal salts, etc., [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] we focused our research towards the development of an alternative milder strategy via designing a magnetically incorporated h-BN nanosheet based catalytic system that surpasses the aforesaid issues remarkably. Impressed by the immense benefits governed by surface engineered h-BN nanocomposites and our on-going laboratory work, [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] we herein demonstrate the fabrication of a novel h-BN@Fe 3 O 4 @APTES@TPC@Ni catalyst and its utility in the multicomponent coupling of aldehydes, dimedone, ethyl acetoacetate and ammonium acetate to access the respective 1,4-dihydropyridines of biological importance. Such recyclable heterogeneous supported nanocatalysts have been grabbing the attention of the scientific community for years to deliver diverse heterocyclic organic products at the industrial scale.…”