Chitosan: An Upgraded Polysaccharide Waste for Organocatalysis. Issue 12 (29th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahé, Olivier; Brière, Jean‐François; Dez, Isabelle
• Is Part Of: European journal of organic chemistry. Issue 12(2015)
• Page Start: 2559
• Page End: 2578
• Publication Date: 2015-01-29
• Subjects: Organocatalysis -- Heterogeneous catalysis -- Polysaccharides -- Chitosan -- Green chemistry -- Sustainable chemistry -- Catalyst immobilization; Chemistry, Organic -- Periodicals; Organic compounds -- Synthesis -- Periodicals; Bioorganic chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical organic -- Periodicals; 547
• DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201403396
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1434-193X

Abstract

Abstract: Green chemistry, directed towards the sustainable adaptation of human activity, is part of our society. Catalysis and waste upgrading are central aspects of green chemistry. Bringing them together would afford efficient chemical processes from the point of view of sustainability. Chitosan is a polyglucosamine generated from chitin, an abundant polysaccharide recycled from industrial marine wastes. Organocatalysts show some advantages over metallocatalysts in that they do not involve non‐renewable rare metals. However, they have drawbacks such as the need for high loadings and difficulties of recovery. This microreview presents recent achievements in the field of organocatalytic reactions promoted by chitosan as a heterogeneous catalytic material. Various organic reactions are reported, in which chitosan is engaged either as an insoluble organocatalyst or as a support for organocatalysts, being easily recycled and reused. Influences on the reaction outcomes are discussed. Although most reactions produce achiral products, a few asymmetric ones have emerged, demonstrating the capacity of chitosan to transfer its stereochemical information. Abstract : This microreview outlines recent advances in achiral to asymmetric organocatalytic reactions based on chitosan, a biodegradable chiral polysaccharide obtained from marine wastes, in a sustainable chemistry context. The use of chitosan and its derivatives either as insoluble organocatalysts or as supports for organocatalysts is reviewed, together with shaping and reusability issues.