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Green and Sustainable C hemistry: Nature, Aims and Scope Green Chemistry entails a philosophy which is summarized in the twelve principles enunciated by Anastas and Warner, and whose aim is an industrial chemical process based on clean and safe reactions. This philosophy applies as well to other industries and activities which are based on chemical conversions, or on use of chemicals. Study of the industrial chemical process allows the visualization of convenient strategies for its greening, which are to be accomplished by related research or development fields, such as use of renewable source materials, substitution of traditional organic solvents, use of catalytic and biocatalytic procedures, or selective activation of reacting molecules. Previous to the industrial process, although with much later effects on the environment, new chemicals must be designed to fulfill conveniently their function and to be easily recycled o degraded at the end of their use.

Background and Goal The object of Green Chemistry is the reduction of chemical pollutants flowing to the environment. The Chemistry and the Environment Division of EuCheMS has assumed Green Chemistry as one of its areas of interest, but one question to solve is where Green Chemistry should be placed within the context of Chemistry and the Environment. The concept of Green Chemistry, as primarily conceived by Paul Anastas and John Warner, is commonly presented through the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry. However, these Twelve Principles, though fruit of a great intuition and common sense, do not provide a clear connection between aims, concepts, and related research areas of Green Chemistry. These two unsolved questions are the object of the present article.

Two simple Wittig procedures for the synthesis of (Z)-5-decenol and (Z)-5-decenyl acetate based on the monoacetylation or monobromination of 1,5-pentanediol were followed.

The regioselectivity of the addition of tert-butyllithium to cinnamic acid is subject to reaction conditions and to substituent electronic effects. Significant effects are observed in the presence of several additives including a radical trap such as α-methylstyrene. Competition experiments by addition of the organolithium reagent to mixtures of substituted cinnamic acids show that the relative rates of both conversion of the starting acids and formation of the 1,3-adducts are subject to electronic effects, whereas rates for 1,4-addition are independent of the substituents. These features are in agreement with a polar addition mechanism, but a fast SET equilibrium followed by slow radical combination would be possible as well.

High conversion and epoxide selectivity from alkenes is achieved with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and a polystyrene-grafted Mo(VI) catalyst, with no noticeable leaching of Mo from the support.

Conjugate addition of primary, secondary, tertiary alkyl and phenyl lithium reagents to 2-alkenoic acids affords good yields of branched saturated carboxylic acids. Methyl groups at the α- and β-carbon of the 2-alkenoic acid decrease reactivity as acceptors, and foster deprotonation, respectively. The lithium enediolate resulting from the conjugate addition can react with electrophiles. PM3 calculations are in agreement with the substituent effects.

Reaction of tert -butyllithium with p - and m -substituted cinnamic acids at low temperature affords mixtures of 1,4- and 1,3-addition products, whose composition depend on the nature of the substituents. Electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups favour 1,4- and 1,3-additions, respectively. Linear correlations are obtained with electronic effect and with radical substituent constants.

High yields in the alkylation of dianions of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids with secondary halides can be obtained despite elimination reactions occurring. α-Regioselectivity for the alkylation of but-2-enoic acids ( 1–4 ) is seldom obtained. Although double bond stereoselectivity is higher than 99% for γ-alkylated products, stereoselectivity is rather poor for most of the α-alkylated products.

Lithium carboxylic acid enediolates are generated efficiently using lithium amides prepared from thienyllithium or butyllithium and either diethylamine, piperazine, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, N-benzylpiperazine or 1,3,3-trimethyl-6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, even in catalytic amounts.

Regioselectivity of alkylation of but-2-enoic acids 1 and 2 by alkyl halides strongly depends on the reactivity of the electrophile. High α selectivity results for saturated alkyl halides, whereas poor α-selectivity is obtained for highly reactive allyl and benzyl halides. For reactive alkylating halides selectivity is partly governed by the ion pairing aggregates of the dienediolates. Lithium bromide and the carboxylate generated in the ongoing reaction cause opposite effects on regioselectivity.

Lithium dienolates of saturated or α,β-unsaturated acids react with α-chloroketones provide a convenient method for preparation of highly sustituted β,γ-epoxyacids. These highly reactive compounds lead in most cases to variable ammounts of the corresponding β-lactones and allylic alcohols.

A convenient two-step procedure for a two carbon homologative conversion of alkyl halides into aldehydes and methyl ketones by α-alkylation of unsaturated carboxylic acids, followed by ozonolysis is developed and applied to the synthesis of ω-chloro aldehydes. Triethylamine is superior to dimethyl sulfide or triphenylphosphine for cleavage of the ozonides, except when aldol condensation side reactions require use of protic solvents and iodide salts. Cleavage of the ozonides by triethylamine is shown to occur mainly through a reductive process.

Polymer-supported acetals 1 and 2 have been prepared by reaction of hydroxy acetals of decanal 6 + 7 and 8 with a Merrifield resin, whereas the glycol 3 and the related 2-nonyl dioxolane 4 have been prepared from a polystyrene resin. The polymer-supported acetals 1, 2 and 4 release decanal in a stream of moist air when an acid catalyst is previously imbedded in the polymer. Similarly, 4-phenyl-2-nonyldioxolane 5 affords decanal when imbedded in a polystyrene resin along with an acid catalyst.

The structures of lithium dienediolates of methyl substituted 2-butenoic acids in ether solution have been studied at PM3 semiempirical level by means of two approaches: the continuum model and the implicit solvation. This study reveals the importance of including three ether molecules for each lithium atom to obtain structures for these species that are in good agreement with the chemical reactivity and 13 C NMR spectral data.

Juvocimene I is prepared by a non ambiguous synthesis based on the regioselective alkylation of 4-methylhexa-2,4-dienoic acid, and Wittig olefination of the aldehyde corresponding to the alkylated acid.

The photodeacetalization of 4-(p-isopropylphenyl)-2-nonyl-1,3-dioxolane 1 using 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate (TPT) as sensitizer has been studied to explore the possibility of achieving a slow sunlight-controlled release of polymer-bound carbonyl functionalized semiochemicals. This reaction has been found to produce mainly n-decanal and p-isopropylbenzaldehyde, together with lower amounts of the corresponding acids. The degree of conversion and the product distribution depended on the presence of water or oxygen and the amount of photosensitizer. The results are justified through generation of the radical cation 1+·, followed by ring opening and trapping of the radical/cationic sites by oxygen or water. The delocalized 1,3-radical cations III and the ozonides IV appear to be involved as key intermediates. Formation of n-nonanal as a minor product is explained through cleavage of the C2-nonyl bond of 1+·.

A s-trans dienediolate structure has been theoretically found as a model for the solvated lithium dianion of 2-butenoic acid which is in good agreement with both its chemical reactivity and 13 C NMR spectral data. Semiempirical and ab initio calculations reveal the importance of including a discrete number of the ether solvanting molecules in the calculations of this charged species in solution, and that these ether molecules cannot be substituted by water in the calculations when a conformational equilibrium is possible.

The regioselectivity of the addition of the lithium trienediolates generated from hexa-2,4dienoic acids 1 and 2 or the dihydropyran-2ones 4 and 5 to unsaturated ketones 6 is studied. Equilibration conditions favour reaction of the trienediolates through their ω carbon, and the ketones according to 1,2- and 1,4-additions. β-Ionone 6a and the aryl-butenone 6b lead to the 1,2-ω-adducts 8 , which undergo a facile acid catalyzed dehydration to retmoic acids 11 . On reaction with the unsaturated ketone 6b or with the aryl ketones 21 , the trimethyldihydropyran-2one S leads to γ-adducts derived from deprotonation of the chain methyl mbstituent along with the 1,4-ω-adducts.

(Z)-11-Hexedecenal 1a and (Z)-13-octadecenenal 2a, components of the sex attractant pheromone of Chilo supressalis, have been synthesized as their ethylene acetals 1b and 2b from cyclododecanone 3, through intermediacy of the C12 ω functionalized acetals 8 and 12.

13C NMR Spectra of the dianions Li2-n resulting from double deprotonation of unsaturated carboxylic acids 1 to 6 by lithium dialkylamides, are examined. Higher field resonance for C2 than for C4 atoms are observed, which reveal higher elctron density at C2 than at C4, in agreement with the kinetic α-regioselectivity exhibited by these dianions on reaction with electrophiles.

Substituted 2-cyclohexenones 4 to 7 and hexaxydronaphthalenones and hexahydroindenones 13 to 18 are prepared by tandem Michael-Dieckmann addition of lithium dienediolates of acyclic and alicyclic unsaturated carboxylic acids to the lithium salts of the same or other unsaturated carboxylic acids.

A two-phase mixture (sodium bromide, aqueous hydrogen peroxide/carbon tetrachloride or chloroform) under visible light provides a simple and convenient system for benzylic bromination of toluenes. A high atomic yield for bromine atoms is attained. Substitution of the chlorinated solvents by other more environmentally benign organic solvents has been attempted and good results are obtained for methyl pivalate.

Acyclic and cyclic unsaturated carboxylic acids 1 to 4 are most easily converted to unsaturated dicarboxylic acids 5 to 8 by oxidative coupling of their diene- or triene-diolates by 1,2-diiodoethane. This procedure improves formerly reported oxidations by iodine or silver salts.

Double deprotonation of either (E,E)-3-methyl-2,4-hexadienoic acid 2, or 4,6-dimethyldihydro-2-pyrone 3 generates apparently the same lithium trienediolate, which affords ω-hydroxy acids 9 on reaction with ketones 7. Hydroxy acids 9 are easily dehydrated to octatrienoic acids 5, which are structurally related to retinoic acid. Similarly, sorbic acid 1 leads to nor-retinoic acid analogs 6.

Oxidative Coupling of the dianions of unsaturated carboxylic acids 1 , and 4 with iodine, which provides a convenient and facile preparation of γ,γ and e,e-dicarboxylic acids 2 and 5, apparently occurs through SET substitution of intermediate iodo-carboxylates.

Double deprotonation of either (E,E)-3-methyl-2,4-hexadienoic acid 2, or 4,6-dimethyldihydro-2-pyrone 3 generates apparently the same lithium trienediolate, which affords ω-hydroxy acids 9 on reaction with ketones 7. Hydroxy acids 9 are easily dehydrated to octatrienoic acids 5, which are structurally related to retinoic acid. Similarly, sorbic acid 1 leads to nor-retinoic acid analogs 6.

Acyclic and cyclic unsaturated carboxylic acids 1 to 4 are most easily converted to unsaturated dicarboxylic acids 5 to 8 by oxidative coupling of their diene- or triene-diolates by 1,2-diiodoethane. This procedure improves formerly reported oxidations by iodine or silver salts.

Substituted 2-cyclohexenones 4 to 7 and hexaxydronaphthalenones and hexahydroindenones 13 to 18 are prepared by tandem Michael-Dieckmann addition of lithium dienediolates of acyclic and alicyclic unsaturated carboxylic acids to the lithium salts of the same or other unsaturated carboxylic acids.

The regioselectivity of the addition of the lithium trienediolates generated from hexa-2,4dienoic acids 1 and 2 or the dihydropyran-2ones 4 and 5 to unsaturated ketones 6 is studied. Equilibration conditions favour reaction of the trienediolates through their ω carbon, and the ketones according to 1,2- and 1,4-additions. β-Ionone 6a and the aryl-butenone 6b lead to the 1,2-ω-adducts 8 , which undergo a facile acid catalyzed dehydration to retmoic acids 11 . On reaction with the unsaturated ketone 6b or with the aryl ketones 21 , the trimethyldihydropyran-2one S leads to γ-adducts derived from deprotonation of the chain methyl mbstituent along with the 1,4-ω-adducts.

(Z)-11-Hexedecenal 1a and (Z)-13-octadecenenal 2a, components of the sex attractant pheromone of Chilo supressalis, have been synthesized as their ethylene acetals 1b and 2b from cyclododecanone 3, through intermediacy of the C12 ω functionalized acetals 8 and 12.

Juvocimene I is prepared by a non ambiguous synthesis based on the regioselective alkylation of 4-methylhexa-2,4-dienoic acid, and Wittig olefination of the aldehyde corresponding to the alkylated acid.

Lithium dienolates of saturated or α,β-unsaturated acids react with α-chloroketones provide a convenient method for preparation of highly sustituted β,γ-epoxyacids. These highly reactive compounds lead in most cases to variable ammounts of the corresponding β-lactones and allylic alcohols.

Regioselectivity of alkylation of but-2-enoic acids 1 and 2 by alkyl halides strongly depends on the reactivity of the electrophile. High α selectivity results for saturated alkyl halides, whereas poor α-selectivity is obtained for highly reactive allyl and benzyl halides. For reactive alkylating halides selectivity is partly governed by the ion pairing aggregates of the dienediolates. Lithium bromide and the carboxylate generated in the ongoing reaction cause opposite effects on regioselectivity.

Lithium carboxylic acid enediolates are generated efficiently using lithium amides prepared from thienyllithium or butyllithium and either diethylamine, piperazine, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, N-benzylpiperazine or 1,3,3-trimethyl-6-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, even in catalytic amounts.

High yields in the alkylation of dianions of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids with secondary halides can be obtained despite elimination reactions occurring. α-Regioselectivity for the alkylation of but-2-enoic acids ( 1–4 ) is seldom obtained. Although double bond stereoselectivity is higher than 99% for γ-alkylated products, stereoselectivity is rather poor for most of the α-alkylated products.

Reaction of tert -butyllithium with p - and m -substituted cinnamic acids at low temperature affords mixtures of 1,4- and 1,3-addition products, whose composition depend on the nature of the substituents. Electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups favour 1,4- and 1,3-additions, respectively. Linear correlations are obtained with electronic effect and with radical substituent constants.

Conjugate addition of primary, secondary, tertiary alkyl and phenyl lithium reagents to 2-alkenoic acids affords good yields of branched saturated carboxylic acids. Methyl groups at the α- and β-carbon of the 2-alkenoic acid decrease reactivity as acceptors, and foster deprotonation, respectively. The lithium enediolate resulting from the conjugate addition can react with electrophiles. PM3 calculations are in agreement with the substituent effects.

o-Nitrophenyldioxolanes 1 to 12 have been prepared and the rate of their photocleavage determined. Steric congestion in the molecule causes a decrease of the reaction rate. The decrease in the rate...

3,5-Disubstituted 2-Cyclohexenones are prepared by tandem Michael-Dieckmann addition of lithium dienediolates of dimethylacrylic and β-methylcinnamic acids to lithium carboxylates of unsaturated carboxylic acids.

Regioselective reaction of lithium diene-and triene-diolates 1 and 2 with O-diphenylphosphinyl hydroxylamine affords unsaturated α-amino acids 3 and 4. Addition to DEAD leads selectively to γ-hydrazino unsaturated acids 5 and 6.