One pot process for synthesis of oxazoline and imidazole compounds from glycerol

Abstract

The present invention disclose a single step one pot process for synthesis of oxazoline and imidazole derivatives from glycerol using solid acid metal catalyst with improved yield.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A one pot process for synthesis of nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds from glycerol or bio-glycerol using solid acid metal catalysts comprising the steps of:
 a. stirring the mixture of glycerol and solid acid metal catalyst at temperature in the range of 180 to 240° C. for a period in the range of 4-6 hrs to obtain acetol; 
 b. cooling the reaction mixture of step (a) to a temperature in the range of 0° C. to 50° C. and adding ammonia solution followed by stirring the mixture for the period in the range of 1-10 hrs to obtain nitrogen containing heterocyclic compound; wherein, the selectivity of said heterocyclic compound is greater than 95%. 
 
     
     
       2. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said metal catalyst is selected from Cu, Al, Zr, Zn, Mg, Ba, Ru, Pd, Pt or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       3. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said metal catalyst is selected from combinations of Cu—Al, Cu—Zr or Cu—Mg, Ru—C, Ru/C, Ru/s-ZrO 2 , Ru/γ-Al 2 O 3 . 
     
     
       4. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds are oxazoline or imidazole. 
     
     
       5. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of glycerol:ammonia is in the range of 1:1 to 1:3. 
     
     
       6. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein step (a) of said process optionally comprises addition of water to a mixture of glycerol and solid acid metal catalyst. 
     
     
       7. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stirring in step (b) is carried out at temperature in the range of 10° C. to 20° C. 
     
     
       8. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said process is carried out via reactive distillation or batch mode.