A first novel and waste valorization route for the preparation of biologically significant quinoxalines using pomegranate peel ash extract

Globally, each day a huge amount of agro-wastes (AWs) have been generated in attending to the demands of the rapidly growing population. The invention of technologies or methods by employing AWs in the synthesis of biologically significant chemical substances seems to be a logical solution to the world’s most desired areas of research, environment and health. Herein, we report a sustainable and (agro)waste valorization method for the construction of quinoxalines from α-bromo ketones and aromatic 1,2-diamines using water extract of pomegranate peel ash (WEPA). The developed reactions can be carried out in room temperature using biorenewable WEPA as catalyst as well as aqueous reaction media. It avoids the environment toxic/problematic/volatile organic solvents throughout the procedure from synthesis to purification. The products are purified by recrystallization, and the reactions are conducted under external non-renewable catalyst-free conditions. The freshly prepared WEPA was also characterized by using powdered X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses. The first use of biorenewable aqueous extract for the quinoxalines synthesis, effective applicability of organic solid waste, ambient conditions, and avoid of depleting resources originated substances as reaction media/catalyst/purification or work-up agents/promoters/heating conditions are the significant attributes of this investigation. Therefore, this research may attract researcher's attention towards studying the waste-derived ashes in the materials as well as in synthetic chemistry.