Host/guest inclusion system of surfactants with β -cyclodextrin as a viable catalyst for one-pot synthesis of mono- and bis (indolyl)methylmalononitriles in H2O

In this study, encapsulation processes of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) monomers into the cavity of β -cyclodextrin (β -CD) were applied to synthesize mono- and bis (indolyl)methylmalononitrile derivatives by a one-pot three-component reaction of an aldehyde, malononitrile, and indole in an aqueous solution. These two inclusion complexes proved to be superior to CTAB or SDS individually, as cationic or anionic surfactants, respectively, for accessing high yields of pure products within shorter reaction times. In addition, simple isolation of products and mild reaction conditions are the other advantages of this green procedure.