Lemon Juice a natural Biocatalyst for the synthesis of Bis(indolyl)methane

Author: Maka Popiashvili
Keywords: Green Chemistry, Biocatalyst, Bis(indolyl)methane
Annotation:

The role of naturally available fruit juice in organic synthesis has attracted the interest of chemists, particularly from the view of green chemistry. The present study aimed to the greener and eco-friendly synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane in the natural surfactant of Lemon juice. This synthetic protocol has a green aspect that avoids the use of toxic catalysts, solvents, and harsh reaction conditions. The reaction proceeds smoothly with a natural extract Lemon at room temperature. We carried out the synthesis of the target bis-(indolyl)methanes (3a-d) in environmentally safe solvent - Lemon juice, at room temperature. Thus, when a mixture of indoles and aldehydes were treated in fruit juice of Citrus lemon-water mixture at pH 3 in stirring at room temperature or refluxed at 80 ºC for 1.5-2.0 h afforded compound 3a in excellent yield. This method proved to be chemoselective as only aldehydes reacts with indoles while ketones did not give corresponding products. The use of lemon juice as biocatalyst and water as solvent in this reaction makes the method is inexpensive and green as complete elimination of toxic solvent, catalysts, and inorganic support. This project was supported financially by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (grant N F R-21-1456)

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