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One of the most studied properties of novel organic solvents is represented by their use as media for many chemical reactions. In this field Ionic Liquids (ILs) and more recently Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) have been playing significant roles for their smart properties. DESs are increasing their relevance thanks to their low toxicity, and because of their simple and cheap preparation that can be carried out by simply mixing two compounds. In this work we present the studies of the use of an acid DES obtained from 3-(cyclohexyldimethylammonio)propane-1-sulfonate and (1S)-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic acid (SB3-Cy/CSA) as reaction media and catalyst for carbon–carbon bond formation reaction via Claisen–Schmidt condensation. This powerful and widely used aldol condensation was performed without the use of any catalysts that are usually needed in this reaction, because of the presence of acid CSA in the DES components. We synthesised fourteen substituted chalcones from benzaldehydes and substituted benzaldehydes in combination with acetophenone and substituted acetophenones as probe reactions. The advantages of the use of this DES in this relevant reaction are represented by: the green properties of the media and its low toxicity; the absence of harmful acids to catalyse the aldol condensation because of the camphorsulfonic acid composing the DES mixture; the recycling and the re-use of the DES in subsequent reaction cycles; the mild conditions and the excellent conversions and yields observed.

The epoxidation of olefinic alcohols in water only has been investigated. Simple allylic alcohols are eporidized readily and with high yields by m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. Polyolefinic alcohols are eporidized regioselectively and with excellent yields by monoperoxyphthalic acid controlling the pH of the medium. The reactions have been carried out in the presence and absence of surfactants, and their role has been investigated

Here we describe uridine functionalization in the 5' position, which provides new classes of cationic and nonionic amphiphiles specifically designed as DNA transfection agents. The synthetic procedures developed to obtain the cationic uridine-head surfactants prevented intramolecular cyclization that occurs when uridine is functionalized in this position without using protecting groups in the uracil.

Diols can be prepared by hydroxilation of alkenes with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in water. The process occurs with high yield and complete anti stereospecificity.

Decarboxylation of the 6-nitrobenzisoxazole-3-carboxylate ion is speeded more by small assemblies of didodecyl(dimethyl)ammonium chloride (DDDACl) than by fully formed assemblies or by normal cationic micelles. The first-order rate constants, k′M, of reaction of fully micelle-bound substrate increase with decreasing surface charge density of normal cationic micelles with a change from hydrophilic to less hydrophilic counter-ions, e.g., in going from CTAOH to CTAOTos (CTA = C16H33NMe3 and Tos = toluene-p-suIphonate), or from cationic to zwitterionic micelles. These changes are ascribed to changes in transfer free energies of the initial-state carboxylate ion and the charge-delocalized transition state so that small assemblies of cationic amphiphiles, e.g., of DDDA or (C8H17)3N+R, are better catalysts than cationic micelles because of less initial-state stabilization. A similar explanation can be applied to catalysis of decarboxylation by synthetic cationic vesicles.

Cationic micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and bromide (CTACl and CTABr) speed reactions of 2,4-dinitro-1-naphthyl chloride (DNNC) and p-nitrophenyl diphenyl phosphate (pNPDPP) with OH–. The pseudophase ion-exchange model fits the data for reaction with [OH–] < 0.05 mol dm–3, but the reaction is faster than predicted at higher ratios of [OH–]. The deviations from theory are largest with high ratios of [OH–] to [Cl–] or [Br–] and are larger in CTABr than in CTACl. A mass-action-like model with each anion binding independently to the micelle fits the data for 10–3–0.5 mol dm–3 OH–.

Reactions of OH– with 2,4-dinitro-1-chloro-benzene and -naphthalene have been examined in solutions of didodecyldimethylammonium chloride and hydroxide. Rate effects were analysed quantitatively in terms of distribution of reactants between water and the colloidal particles. Second-order rate constants at the surface of the particles are very similar to those in normal aqueous micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, chloride, and bromide and p-octyloxybenzyltrimethylammonium bromide and are slightly higher than in water. Similar observations were made on the reaction of OH– with 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene.

Deprotonations of 5-nitroindole (1) and its 2-carboxylate ion (2) at high pH are increased by selfassemblies of didodecyldimethylammonium chloride and hydroxide (DDDACl and DDDAOH). The increased deprotonation can be accounted for quantitatively in terms of binding of OH– and the indicatiors to the colloidal self-assemblies. Basicity constants in the self-assemblies are similar to those in micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, bromide, and hydroxide (CTACl, CTABr, and CTAOH) and are slightly smaller than in water.

Reactions of OH– with 2,4-dinitro-1-chloro-benzene and -naphthalene have been examined in solutions of the following bolaform surfactants: alkane-α,ω-bis(trimethylammonium bromide), alkane = docosane, hexadecane, and dodecane, [bolaform(22)Br, bolaform(16)Br, and bolaform(12)Br], bolaform(22)OH, and bolaform(16)OH. Rate effects of bolaform(22)Br and OH– were analysed quantitatively in terms of distribution of reactants between water and micelles and second-order rate constants at the micellar surfaces were very similar to those found with normal hexadecyltrimethylammonium micelles. Rate effects were much smaller with bolaform(16)Br and OH– but were typical of micellar rate enhancements, and bolaform (12)Br had even smaller effects.

Epoxidation reaction of liquid alkenes with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in water at room temperature gives oxiranes in high yield.