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Updated: Mar 12, 2026

A Microwave-Assisted Direct Heteroarylation of Ketones Using Transition Metal Catalysis
Published on: February 16, 2020
Tunable microwave-assisted method for the solvent-free and catalyst-free peracetylation of natural products
Manuela Oliverio1, Paola Costanzo2, Monica Nardi3
1Department of Health Science, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; InterRegional Center for Food Safety and Health, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Abstract:
Background: The peracetylation is a simple chemical modification that can be used to enhance the bioavailability of hydrophilic products and to obtain safe and stable pro-drugs. Results: A totally green, solvent-free and catalyst-free microwave (MW)-assisted method for peracetylation of natural products such as oleuropein, alpha-hederin, quercetin and rutin is presented. By simply tuning the MW heating program, polyols with chemical diverse -OH groups or thermolabile functionalities can be peracetylated to improve the biological activity without degradation of the natural starting molecules. An evaluation of the process greenness was performed. Conclusion: The method is potentially universally applicable for green acetylation of hydrophilic biological molecules, potentially easily scalable for industrial applications, including pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industry.
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