Work

Developing a p ‐Toluenesulfonic Acid/Benzenesulfonic Acid/Water Mixture as Sustainable Medium for Aqueous Diels–Alder Reactions of Hydrophobic Anthracenes and Various Dienophiles

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Aqueous Diels–Alder reactions are highly attractive for green chemistry because of their 100% atom economy and solvent waste mitigation. Despite significant effort, reactions involving hydrophobic dienes and water‐sensitive dienophiles, or vice versa, remain challenging. Herein, we implemented an efficient Diels–Alder reaction in a mixture of aqueous p ‐toluenesulfonic acid and benzenesulfonic acid as a recyclable medium. The methodology features good compatibility with hydrophobic anthracenes and water‐sensitive dienophiles, excellent yields, and chromatography‐free product isolation. The aqueous medium could easily be recovered and reused multiple times without additional processing.

Source: European Journal of Organic Chemistry

DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.70810

Authors: Shengyun Hu, Sem Bleus, Shujie Zhao, Wim Dehaen

Institution: KU Leuven

Language: English

Topic: Organic Chemistry Cycloaddition Reactions

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: China Scholarship Council, Herculesstichting