Experimental investigation on the correlation between the physicochemical properties and catalytic activity of six DESs in Kabachnik-Fields reaction
Physicochemical properties of six Type IV- Deep eutectic solvents formed from ZrOCl2.8H2O/ CeCl3.7H2O with urea, ethylene glycol & glycerol were compared. The study was performed by correlating the properties of DESs with their activity in Kabachnik-Fields reaction. Among the six DESs, lower density, viscosity, higher acidity & thermal stability were observed for DES 1(Deep eutectic solvent developed from ZrOCl2.8H2O and urea at 1: 5 ratio) and is reported as an excellent catalyst and reaction medium for the productive synthesis of α-aminophosphonates within a short period of time. One pot reaction of an aldehyde, dimethyl phosphite and amine (Kabachnik-Fields/ Phospha-Mannich reaction) took place at room temperature to give the corresponding α-aminophosphonates in good yield and the precipitation of these products in to water avoided the regular work up process. Catalyst was recycled up to five times without any loss in its activity.