Biography
Biography: Francisco Alonso
Abstract
Some years ago, we developed a catalyst consisting of copper nanoparticles on activated carbon (CuNPs/C) which was shown to be very versatile in the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles through click chemistry.1 More recently, we have effectively accomplished the multicomponent synthesis of indolizines using 0.5 mol% CuNPs/C as catalyst in dichloromethane.2 Interestingly, the same procedure, when applied in the absence of solvent using piperidine as the secondary amine, has led to heterocyclic chalcones with exclusive Z stereochemistry. The aforementioned copper-catalyzed three-component synthesis of indolizines, when followed by heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation, allowed the straightforward preparation 1-dialkylamino-3-substituted indolizidines with high chemo- and diastereoselectivity, though an overall atom-economy protocol.3 Copper nanoparticles on zeolite Y has been found to be an effective catalyst for the cross-dehydrogenative coupling of tertiary amines and terminal alkynes (producing propargylamines) in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant, without the need of an inert atmosphere and in the absence of solvent, using 1.5 mol% catalyst.4 The catalyst is reusable and more efficient than an array of commercial catalysts. All types of compounds presented, 1,2,3-triazoles, indolizines, chalcones, indolizidines and propargylamines, are of pharmacological interest, some of which have shown in-vitro prominent activity.