Polyethylene glycol embedded tribromide as an efficient and reusable catalyst for the library synthesis of nitrogen containing heterocycles

Abstract

Potassium tribromide wrapped around polyethylene glycol ({K⁺PEG₄₀₀}Br₃^-) was easily prepared by two step reaction of PEG₄₀₀ with KBr followed by the addition of molecular bromine to give PEG embedded potassium tribromide as a dark viscous oil. The synthesized material was found to be an efficient, cost effective, environmentally benign and recyclable catalyst for the library synthesis of nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds <em>via</em> multicomponent coupling reaction. The method offers a set of advantages such as facile synthesis, low cost, recycling ability and high product yields.