Zr-Catalyzed Microwave Assisted Functionalization of Alkyne and Nitroalkene

Abstract

Water and zirconium(IV) as catalyst were found to be effective in the transformation of terminal aromatic alkyne to aromatic methyl ketone in the microwave. This terminal alkyne hydration reaction proceeded in excellent yield with Zr(cp)2Cl2. The reaction was moved efficiently in presence of electron donating or electron withdrawing substituent on aromatic ring. An eco-friendly synthesis of aldehyde by oxidative cleavage of nitroalkene was developed with Zr(cp)2Cl2 catalyst and water in microwave.