Scientists from Spain have developed a new method for increasing yields in synthetic organic reactions.
One pot syntheses may seem like an attractive option for syntheses with multiple reaction steps but reagents are not always compatible, leading to serious reductions in yields. An alternative sequential approach has been adopted that allows several different heterogeneous catalysts to be used, producing the target compound in much higher yields than the classical approach. Three reactions are conducted in sequence by simply filtering the catalyst after each step and proceeding with the crude mixture.
Sound like a good idea? Read the article for more information…
Integration of Heterogeneous Catalysts into Complex Synthetic Routes: Sequential vs One-Pot Reactions in a (Knoevenagel + Mukaiyama-Michael + Hydrogenation + Transesterification) Sequence
J M Fraile et al, Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/c2cy20442h
