Switchable surface activity of Bi 2 Al 4 O 9 nano particles: A contemporary approach in heterocyclic synthesis

Ferroelectric catalysis is emerging as an efficient chemical transformation strategy, especially in the field of clean energy production, wastewater treatment and degradation of pollutants. The core of ferroelectric catalysis is the dynamically switchable electrical polarization on their surface. It enables them to switch their surface activity, more precisely due to binding strength with the substrate. Even though a plethora of reports are available, the introduction of ferroelectric catalytic surfaces for the generation of heterocyclic compounds is a novel aspect. Here, we introduce ferroelectric Bismuthaluminate nanoparticles as catalysts for generating derivatives of azalactone, tetrahydro-benzopyran and pyranopyrazole with improved catalytic efficiency. This can be achieved by switching the direction of polarization of the catalyst which indeed alters the surface electronic states and stimulates the reaction followed by the excellent yield. Here the switchable property is due to the thermally induced polarization of water. Graphical Abstract