Recent advances in zirconium-based catalysis and its applications in organic synthesis: a review

In recent years, transition metal-catalysed organic synthesis has received great importance. Zirconium, a second-row transition metal, has gained prominence owing to its luster and abundance, but it is more expensive than other transition metals because it is difficult to refine and process. In particular, active zirconia-based catalysts have fascinated researchers owing to their low toxicity, affordability, flexibility and excellent dispersion. This review focuses on the latest zirconium catalysts used in the manufacturing of medicinal compounds, bioactive molecules and pertinent synthesis mechanisms reported since 2020. In this review, the synthesis of various heterocycles such as imidazoles, pyrazole, pyrimidinones, quinolines, quinazolinones, pyridines, pyrroles, benzopyrans, substituted amides and triazolidine-based bioactive molecules is discussed in detail. Future research in this area is based on further understanding the scope of zirconium catalysed sustainable and approachable synthesis of biologically active compounds.