Discovering Green, Aqueous Suzuki Coupling Reactions: Synthesis of Ethyl (4-Phenylphenyl)acetate, a Biaryl with Anti-Arthritic Potential

摘要: Suzuki couplings are powerful chemical reactions commonly employed in academic and industrial research settings to generate functionalized biaryls. We have developed implemented a discovery-based, microscale experiment for the undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory that explores green coupling using water as primary solvent. This exposes students professional responsibilities of pharmaceutical chemist promotes problem-solving approach toward learning principles. Specifically, assume role medicinal researcher striving identify greenest most cost-effective method out three proposed synthetic approaches make ethyl (4-phenylphenyl)acetate. Ethyl (4-phenylphenyl)acetate is precursor drug felbinac demonstrates promise lead compound discovery new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treatment arthritis.