In a society where sustainability is the watchword, Dr Jaidev Kaushik, Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry introduces an innovative method for producing acetanilide derivatives, using waste-derived copper flakes as a catalyst. This environmentally friendly approach enables a single-step synthesis while promoting a “waste to wealth” philosophy. His paper titled, “Waste-derived Copper Flakes for Solvent-Free Reductive Acetamidation of Nitroarenes,” featured in the Q1 Journal, Langmuir (ACS).
Abstract:
Amides are the most vital chemical moieties used in organic and biological processes and as a starting material in many industrial sectors like pharmaceuticals, agro-based, polymers, solvents, dyes, pigments, etc. The most common synthesis method of amides is by first reducing nitroarenes to their corresponding amines, followed by acylation with the required acyl group, a two-step process involving expensive metal catalysts. Given this, we have utilized waste-derived copper (Cu) flakes as a cost-effective heterogeneous catalyst for solvent-free and one-pot reductive acylation of nitroarenes. Metallic zerovalent copper flakes (f-ZCu) were isolated from waste copper Cu scrap/flakes/turnings generated after the grinding and cutting from the Cu industries. Moreover, the same procedure was also utilized to produce various substrates, including the gram-scale synthesis of the well-known crucial antipyretic drug, paracetamol.
Practical / Social Implications:
The proposed copper waste-derived heterogeneous catalyst can replace toxic and heavy metal catalysts from various organic synthesis reactions and can be utilized in the large-scale synthesis of important drugs such as paracetamol under more optimized conditions.
Collaborations:
Dr Sumit Kumar Sonkar (MNIT Jaipur, India)
Future Research Plans:
1. The adsorption/photodegradation-assisted quick and efficient removal of next-generation advanced pollutants such as microplastic, pesticides, pharmaceutical waste, etc. by hydrophobic carbon aerogel and their doped and functionalized versions.
2. Utilising waste-derived heterogeneous catalysts in organic transformation reactions.
3. Selective sensing of toxic metal ions/biomarkers/biomolecules using fluorescent nanomaterials.
4. Upcycling of carbonates/CO2 via photo/thermal assisted reactions to get C1 and C2 hydrocarbons (green fuel).
