Greener Approach towards the Synthesis of Nitrogen Based Heterocycles

Abstract

The preferable application of green chemistry in research is to utilize environment benign, mild, non toxic, reproducible catalyst and efficient solvents in synthesis of molecules. Use of green chemistry techniques had enabled in dramatically reducing chemical waste and reaction times as has recently been reported in several organic syntheses reactions. Greener routes are required in the synthesis of N-heterocycles, due to the remarkable importance of these compounds in medicinal chemistry. This chapter is dedicated to the synthesis of N containing heterocyclic compounds using eco-friendly solvent like water and bio-derived solvents (glycerol, ethyl lactate, and gluconic acid aqueous solution). Water and bio-based solvents for the synthesis of aromatic nitrogen heterocycles was chosen due to the negligible toxicity associated with these solvents. Apart from being eco-friendly, water also has the potential to become a universally acceptable solvent due to its abundance and low cost. Work on microwave synthesis is also reported as it is an eco-friendly and faster process for the synthesis of these N-based heterocyclic compounds. Due to its rapid action to produce products with greater purity and yield, it is now being used worldwide.