Wood ash biocatalyst as a novel green catalyst and its application for the synthesis of benzochromene derivatives

Abstract

Wood ash is a naturally alkaline derived substance containing organic and inorganic constituents. This study investigates the catalytic activity of wood ash as a heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of benzochromene derivatives. Several wood ash catalysts, comprising calcium- and potassium-rich carbonates, were prepared from different natural resources under various combustion temperatures. The prepared catalysts were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Catalytic efficiency of the resultant catalysts was tested in the synthesis of benzochromene derivatives. The experimental studies clarified that the catalyst prepared at 850 °C could efficiently expedite the formation of three-component synthesis of benzochromene derivatives in water at 80 °C with high yields. Indeed, alkali, alkaline metal, and metal oxides such as Al2O3, SiO2, MgO, CaO, and Fe2O3, are widely utilized as both catalyst and catalyst support in the heterogeneous catalytic processes. The prepared wood ash catalysts (possessing metal oxides, e.g., CuO, Al2O3, SiO2, and CaO) could effectively prompt the electrophilic activity of the carbonyl groups during the nucleophilic attack intermediate, enhancing the efficiency of the reactions.