Choline peroxydisulfate: triple role player in direct synthesis of 14-Aryl-14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes and 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthenes from benzyl alcohols under solvent-free conditions

Xanthenes and their derivatives have attracted substantial research interest due to their various biological activities and antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, antimalarial, and antiinflammatory properties. Furthermore, some of these compounds have been widely used as lecodyes6 and pH-sensitive fluorescent materials for visualization of biomolecules and are utilized in laser technologies [1].Tandem catalytic processes can replace multi-step syntheses with efficient catalytic reactions that can have significant impact on the manufacture of fine chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates [2]. 14-Aryl-14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes and 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthenes were synthesized directly from benzyl alcohols via a tandem catalytic process using Choline peroxydisulfate (ChPS). The synthesis proceeds through two steps: an oxidation of the benzyl alcohols to benzaldehydes followed by condensation with 2-naphthol or dimedone to form products. Choline bisulphate (ChBS) reduced species is generated in-situ from ChPS, which catalyses formation of desired products in shorter reaction time, with good to excellent yields