Advances in Sustainable Organic Synthesis: Electrochemical Strategies for the Synthesis of N-Arylamines and N-Arylamides

• Grant number: 24/07506-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Márcio Weber Paixão
• Grantee: Pablo Silva Carneiro
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/12394-0 - Sustainable synthetic methods employing catalysis, benign solvents, safer reagents, and bio-renewable feedstock, AP.TEM

Abstract

Organic compounds containing C-N bonds, especially N-arylamines and N-arylamides, play fundamental roles in various sectors of industry, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. Given their importance, the search for new sustainable methodologies for the synthesis and modification of these compounds is ongoing among different research groups. In this context, the emergence of electrochemistry has emerged as a viable alternative, offering a gentle and efficient approach to exploring conventional redox reactivities. By dispensing with the need for strong oxidizing or reducing agents, electrochemistry stands out for its ability to promote oxidation and reduction reactions in organic molecules using electrons as both reducing and oxidizing agents. In this context, this project aims to develop innovative synthetic methodologies using electrochemistry and nickel-catalyzed mediation for the synthesis of N-arylamines and N-arylamides. In the first subproject, the goal is to establish a synthetic route for obtaining N-arylamines, employing aryl halides and derivatives of unsaturated N-heterocyclic compounds as substrates. Next, we intend to develop a nickel-catalyzed electrochemical methodology for the formation of C(sp2)-N bonds through the N-H activation of secondary amides. To achieve these objectives, we will employ electrochemical synthesis conditions associated with transition metal catalysis, with special emphasis on the use of nickel as a catalyst. The combination of these techniques offers a versatile and sustainable approach to the synthesis of industrially relevant organic compounds, contributing to significant advancements in the fields of synthetic chemistry and materials science. This project represents an important step in exploring the potential of electrochemistry as a tool for the synthesis of complex chemical products, with potential applications in various industries and scientific research fields.