Tungsten anchored onto functionalized SBA-15: an efficient catalyst for diastereoselective synthesis of 2-azapyrrolizidine alkaloid scaffolds

We used a novel hybrid catalyst in chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselective multi-component reactions (MCR) for the synthesis of the 2-aza analogue of pyrrolizidine and spirooxindole-2-azapyrrolizidine derivatives. The nanocatalyst, W(iv)/NNBIA–SBA-15 [where NNBIA = N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(2-aminobenzamide)] was synthesized by covalent grafting on chloro-functionalized SBA-15. The synthesis process was followed by the anchoring of WCl(6) to catch the desired catalyst. The quality of the catalyst was assessed using different analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), N(2) adsorption analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), ammonia Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD), X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric, differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA). The catalyst, W(iv)/NNBIA–SBA-15, with high catalytic performance is a good candidate for the diastereoselective synthesis of 2-azapyrrolizidine alkaloid scaffolds. The catalyst could be recovered for reuse without noticeable loss of activity.