Synthesis, characterization and biocidal studies of some aromatic alcohols.

The synthesis and characterization of aromatic alcohols such as 1-(4-bromo phenyl) ethanol, 1-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) ethanol, (4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzyl alcohol) employing biotransformation (using whole cells of Baker’s Yeast in their free as well as immobilized form in mixtures of glycerol and water) and Electrochemical technique are reported. The electrochemical behavior of 4-bromoacetophenone, 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone, and 4-Hydroxy-3- methoxybenzaldehyde was analyzed using cyclic voltammetry at glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and constant current electrolysis. Effect of scan rate and pH on the reduction peaks has been calculated. The kinetic parameters were also calculated and the process was found to be diffusion controlled. The products obtained were purified & then characterized by spectroscopic techniques. All the compounds have been tested in vitro against a number of microorganisms in order to assess their antimicrobial properties. Biocatalytic and Electrochemical procedures were found to be more effective, safe, economical, environmental friendly, easy to handle. These green methodologies over conventional chemical methods provide new and improved synthetic routes to many valuable compounds.

Eco friendly synthetic routes for the reduction of carbonyl and the substituted carbonyl compounds.

Incorporation of green methodology via biocatalytic and electrochemical steps using Baker’s Yeast and electrons as reducing agent respectively have been employed as a novel and efficient route to furnish relevent chiral building blocks for fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Reduction of selected ketones such as 2-methylcyclohexanone, 3-methylcyclohexanone, 4-methylcyclohexanone and ethyl-2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate have been carried out by biotransformation (using whole cells of Baker’s Yeast in their free as well as immobilized form in mixtures of glycerol and water) and via electrochemical method to the corresponding alcohols. Optimum conditions for electrochemical reduction like solvent, supporting electrolyte, reduction potential and pH were determined at glassy carbon electrode employing cyclic voltammetric technique. The effect of scan rate, pH were also studied. The electrochemical reduction was carried out at constant current using stainless steel (SS-316) electrodes. The products obtained were purified & then the results of both reduction routes (biocatalytic & electrochemical) were compared and then characterized by spectroscopic techniques.