New one-pot multistep process with multifunctional catalysts: decreasing the E factor in the synthesis of fine chemicals

The synthesis of a series of fine chemicals (4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone, 4-(6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3,1,1]hept-2-en-2-yl)-2-butanone, and 2-cyclopentylcylopentanone) has been performed through a simple process that involves one-pot multi-step reactions (condensation–dehydration–reduction) using multifunctional base–acid-metal catalysts. The E factor for the specific process, as well as for the global process that includes the manufacturing of the reactants, has been calculated and compared with those obtained using conventional methods. In various cases, it is demonstrated that by means of process intensification with multifunctional solid catalysts, it is possible to decrease the E factor by one order of magnitude or more with respect to any of the manufacturing routes reported to date.