Nano-BF3/cellulose as a biodegradable novel catalyst for synthesis of highly functionalized tetrahydropyridines

Abstract

Nano-cellulose with high amount of free OH groups could be used as supporting agents for boron trifluoride (BF₃). Nano-BF₃/cellulose is a solid acid and a biodegradable catalyst which was prepared via reaction of nano-cellulose and BF₃. The structure of this catalyst was studied by FT-IR, FESEM, TEM, XRD, EDS, TGA, XRF and BET. In this research, the synthesis of highly functionalized tetrahydropyridines has been developed via a five-component reaction of aldehyde, amine and ethyl acetoacetate using nano-BF₃/cellulose under solvent-free conditions. The structures of obtained products were identified by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. Some advantages of this protocol are high to good yields, environmentally benign procedure, easy work-up of reaction and moderate reusability of the catalyst.