Research Projects

The “Green chemistry” is a new paradigm for sustainable organic synthesis. In recent years, researchers have started looking for the development of new sustainable methods for industrial applications. The use of earth-abundant iron catalysts is one of the preferred choices to carry out the organic transformation sustainably as its many salts are cost-effective, stable, and non-toxic. In addition, historical retrospect reveals that several ligands with iron salts can catalyze C−O bond-forming reactions. On the other hand, the micellar reaction medium is becoming a more and more effective tool for sustainable organic chemistry, achieving selective functionalization at ambient reaction conditions. The micellar environment enables high solubility of starting materials and catalysts as well as provides excellent control of regioselectivity and reactivity. In this line, we propose to develop methods for the late-stage construction of C−O bonds in functionally complex aryl rings using a combination of iron complexes and micellar reaction mediums. Primarily the protocol for oxygenation of simple arenes (benzene, toluene, benzoic acids, etc.) will be developed in a micellar reaction medium for the first time. Then it will be further extended for arenes such as indoles, flavonoids, and coumarins. The successful demonstration will produce valuable oxy arenes in a more economical way.