Researchers have introduced an innovative method for creating heterocyclic compounds using TiO2 and visible light, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective approach compared to traditional high-energy processes. Heterocyclic compounds are organic molecules with a ring structure comprising at least two or more elements. In most cases, these rings are composed of carbon atoms along with one or more other elements such as nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. They are highly sought-after as raw materials in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, owing to their versatility and excellent physiological activities.

While several methods are available for synthesizing these compounds, most of them involve high temperature and pressure conditions, or the use of precious metal catalysts, adding to the economic and environmental cost of producing heterocyclic organic compounds.

Now, however, a team of researchers from Japan and Bangladesh have proposed a simple yet effective method for overcoming these challenges. Their study was recently published in the journal Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis. Using the proposed strategy, the team demonstrated the synthesis of 20 sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds in the presence of photocatalyst titanium dioxide (TiO2) and visible light.

The study was led by Professor Yutaka Hitomi from the Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University, and co-authored by a Ph.D. candidate Pijush Kanti Roy from Doshisha University, Associate Professor Sayuri Okunaka from Tokyo City University, and Dr. Hiromasa Tokudome from Research Institute, TOTO Ltd.

TiO2, as a photocatalyst for driving the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, offers a promising alternative to traditional methods. The use of visible light and TiO2 as a catalyst not only reduces the energy input required for the synthesis but also eliminates the need for precious metal catalysts, making the process more sustainable and cost-effective.

The eco-friendly and innovative approach presented by the research team has the potential to revolutionize the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, paving the way for greener and more efficient processes in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.