Nitrogen-Bridged Symmetrical Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Binuclear Dioxidomolybdenum(VI) Complexes and Their Catalytic Potential for Efficient Synthesis of 2-Amino-3-Cyano-4H-Chromenes/Pyrans.

Reaction of 2-chloromethylbenzimidazole with known intermediates (i - iii), prepared from diaminoguanidine hydrochloride with salicylaldehyde, 5-bromo-salicylaldehyde or 3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylaldehyde, led to the formation of benzimidazole appended new ligands, H4L1-H4L3 (I-III). The homogeneous nitrogen-bridged symmetrical binuclear complexes, [(MoVIO2)2(L1)(H2O)2] (1), [(MoVIO2)2(L2)(H2O)2] (2) and [(MoVIO2)2(L3)(MeOH)2] (3) and mononuclear complexes, [MoVIO2(H2L1)(MeOH)] (4), [MoVIO2(H2L2)(H2O)] (5) and [MoVIO2(H2L3)(MeOH)] (6).have been isolated by reacting these ligands. The corresponding binuclear heterogeneous compounds [(MoVIO2)2(L1)(DMF)2]@PS (PS-1), [(MoVIO2)2(L2)(DMF)2]@PS (PS-2) and [(MoVIO2)2(L3)(DMF)2]@PS (PS-3) have been obtained by immobilization of 1-3 onto chloromethylated polystyrene beads. All synthesized ligands, homogeneous as well as heterogeneous supported compounds have been characterized  well. Heterogeneous compounds (PS-1-PS-3) have further been studied by microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy along with energy dispersive spectroscopy. All compounds  were explored for catalytic applications to one-pot multicomponent reactions (MCRs) for efficient synthesis of biologically active 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-chromenes/pyrans (21 examples). Optimizing various reaction parameters helped in achieving as high as 97% yields of products. Though, only half equivalent of the binuclear complexes (1-3) was required compared to mononuclear analogues (4-6) to achieve comparable yields, heterogeneous catalysts have an added advantage due to their stability and recyclability. Suitable reaction mechanism has also been proposed based on isolated intermediate(s).