Titanium dioxide nanowires as green and heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of novel pyranocoumarins

Titanium dioxide nanowires were employed as novel, recyclable and safe catalysts in a one-pot three-component condensation of aldehydes, malononitrile, and 4-hydroxycoumarin to produce new and known pyrano[2,3-c]chromenes as potent biologically active compounds. A possible catalytic mechanism was also proposed based on the interaction of reactants with TiO2 nanowires. This expedient new route has advantages, such as the use of a safe and reusable catalyst, simple operation, short reaction times and good to excellent yields.

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