Ultrasound promoted rapid and green synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthenes derivatives using nanosized MCM-41-SO3H as a nanoreactor, nanocatalyst in aqueous media

An efficient and green procedure has been developed for the synthesis of 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthenes derivatives. The reaction was carried out in water under ultrasound irradiation, using nanosized MCM-41-SO3H. In this method, several types of aromatic aldehyde, containing electron-withdrawing groups as well as electron-donating groups, were rapidly converted to the corresponding 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthenes in good to excellent yields. This novel synthetic method is especially favored because it provides a synergy of the nanosized MCM-41-SO3H and ultrasound irradiation which offers the advantages of high yields, short reaction times, simplicity and easy workup compared to the conventional methods reported in the literature. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.