Selenium-doped carbon: An unexpected efficient solid acid catalyst for Beckmann rearrangement of ethyl 2-(2-aminothiazole-4-yl)-2-hydroxyiminoacetate

In this study, Se-doped carbon, which is different from reported Se-containing compounds or materials, did not act as an oxygen carrier catalyst in the reaction of ethyl 2-(2-aminothiazole-4-yl)-2-hydroxyiminoacetate with H2O2 but participated in the reaction as a solid acid catalyst, and thus, the Beckmann rearrangement occurred to produce the useful Cefixime derivative. Unique steric hindrance of carbon support restrained the side reactions through nucleophilic reaction paths. As the first example for using Se-containing materials as solid acid catalyst, this work may inspire new ideas for Se catalyst development. This novel material has advantages of easy fabrication method and high catalyst turnover number (TON = 1.1 x 10(4)).