Application of furfural for the synthesis of potentially bioactive molecules
Furfural is a heterocyclic and aromatic aldehyde, also known as furaldehyde and 2-furanecarboxialdehyde. It is a clear and colorless oil obtained by hydrolysis of biomass and used as a solvent or as a starting material for the preparation of new organic solvents and other important derivatives. The main advantage of furfural as a raw material is that its sources are renewable. Thus, the objective of this work is to carry out several syntheses with furfural, obtaining a library of compounds for the investigation of their biological activities. A synthesis of two steps was carried out: Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction and Claisen-Schmidt condensation in basic medium with high yield (75%). The multicomponent reactions of Hantzsch with good yield (46%) and Biginelli with low yield (10%) were also carried out. The acid condensation reactions of Claisen-Schmidt did not provide the desired product. In parallel, a study on the efficiency in the separation of niobium compounds used as catalysts is underway. The products obtained so far have been characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, however, different techniques such as infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and melting points will also be used. Other reactions were planned and will be carried out, the study of the niobium separation will be finalized and the biological activities of the compounds obtained from furfural will be carried out.