The catalytic opportunities of near-critical water: a benign medium for conventionally acid and base catalyzed condensations for organic synthesis

• Published in: Green chemistry : an international journal and green chemistry resource : GC Vol. 5; no. 5; pp. 663 - 669
• Main Authors: Nolen, Shane A, Liotta, Charles L, Eckert, Charles A, Glaser, Roger
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2003
• Subjects: Catalysts
• ISSN: 1463-9262; 1463-9270
• DOI: 10.1039/B308499J

Recent studies have underscored the utility of near-critical water as an environmentally benign alternative medium for conducting organic synthesis operations. Findings are reported from experiments investigating the Claisen-Schmidt condensation of benzaldehyde with 2-butanone. These findings were used to demonstrate the capacity for carrying out conventional acid- or base-catalyzed reactions in a homogeneous manner using near-critical water without the addition of a catalyst. Scientists implemented analyses of other conventionally base-catalyzed condensations in uncatalyzed near-critical water for completeness, such as the self-condensation reaction of butyraldehyde, and the benzaldehyde-acetone cross-aldol condensation.