Homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous recycling: a new family of branched molecules with hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon chains for the Friedländer synthesis of quinoline under solvent-free conditions

A new family of branched catalysts with hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon chains was used to catalyze Friedländer reaction between 2-aminoarylketones and α-methylene ketones under solvent-free conditions in good to excellent yields. The catalysts exhibit temperature-dependent solubility and such a thermomorphic character allows them to be recovered by filtration conveniently at room temperature and reused at least five times. To some extent, the branched catalysts with hydrocarbon chains are superior to those with fluorocarbon chains, as they are cheaper and more biodegradable.