Magnetic Nanoparticle-Supported Glutathione as a Sustainable Organocatalyst

Abstract

This invention relates to the use of nano-organocatalysts, and, more specifically, to the use of magnetic nanomaterial-supported organocatalysts. It is an object of the present invention to provide “green” catalysts and protocols. According to one embodiment of the invention, a nano-organocatalyst in the form of a magnetic nanomaterial-supported organocatalyst is provided. According to other embodiments of the invention, glutathione and cysteine are provided as organocatalysts and magnetic nanomaterial-supported glutathione and magnetic nanomaterial-supported cysteine are provided for use as nano-organocatalysts. According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of using a recyclable magnetic nanomaterial-supported organocatalyst using a totally benign aqueous protocol, without using any organic solvent in the reaction or during the workup, is provided. According to a further embodiment of the invention, a recyclable magnetic nanomaterial-supported organocatalyst for various organocatalytic reactions, including but not limited to Paal-Knorr reactions, aza-Michael addition and pyrazole synthesis, is provided.

1 . A nano-organocatalyst comprising a magnetic nanomaterial-supported organocatalyst, wherein an organocatalyst comprises a compound having a thiol group and wherein the organocatalyst is anchored to a magnetic nanomaterial through the thiol group. 
     
     
         2 . The nano-organocatalyst of  claim 1 , wherein the organocatalyst is selected from the group consisting of glutathione and cysteine. 
     
     
         3 . The nano-organocatalyst of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic nanomaterial is selected from the group consisting of nano-ferrite, nano-nickel ferrite, nano-cobalt ferrite, nano-iron, and nano-cobalt and their bimetallic derivatives. 
     
     
         4 . A nano-organocatalyst comprising magnetic nanomaterial-supported glutathione, wherein glutathione is anchored to magnetic nanomaterial.