Response Surface Methodology for the Optimization of Thia-Michael Addition Reaction Catalyzed by Doped Fluorapatite

Abstract

The aim of this study was to apply central composite experimental design in the thia-Michael addition reaction between chalcone derivatives and mercaptans catalyzed by doped Fluorapatite catalyst (KF/FAP). Central composite design was used to create an experimental program to provide data to model the effects of various factors on reaction yield of thia-Michael addition (Y). The variables chosen were reaction time (X1), solvent volume (X2), catalyst weight (X3) and impregnation ratio (X4). The mathematical relationship between reaction yield and four significant independent variables can be approximated by a second-order quadratic model. Response surface methodology was used to describe the individual and interactive effects of four variables at five levels, combined according to a central composite design. This study has shown that central composite design can be applied to the catalytic carbon-sulfur bond formation in mild reaction condition with high yield, and it is an economical way of obtaining the maximum amount of information with the fewest experiments.