Green methodologies in organic synthesis: recent developments in our laboratories

The results of the studies carried out in our laboratories during the last 15 years, aimed at developing green methodologies for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized heteroaromatic substances, are surveyed. The results of the investigations demonstrate that green methodologies are not only less hazard than classical preparative methods but they also are more efficient and economical. For example, short reaction times and higher yields are observed for reactions in which conventional heating is replaced by microwave or ultrasound irradiation. The implementation of multicomponent reactions in green preparative routes also reduces the cost of carrying out the reactions because multiple separation and crystallization steps are avoided. In general, by employing the new green methodologies we have been able to produce a large number of polyfunctional aromatic substances in a highly efficient manner.