We report an efficient, selective, rapid and eco-friendly protocol for the one-step synthesis of a small xanthone library via an intermolecular catalytic coupling from readily available salicylaldehydes and 1,2-dihaloarenes under ligand-free conditions. To achieve this advantageous direct annulation, we used a novel recoverable palladium nanocatalyst supported on a green biochar under microwave irradiation. Unlike other existing palladium-based approaches, our synthetic strategy showed a greater operational simplicity, drastic reduction in reaction times, and an excellent tolerance to diverse functional groups. The reaction proceeds in very good yields and with high regioselectivity. The novel heterogeneous catalyst can be recycled and reused up to four times without significant loss of activity.

Herein, an eco-friendly palladium-catalyzed tandem reaction for the one-pot synthesis of carbazoles under microwave irradiation is reported. This approach involves an amination and a direct arylation from available and inexpensive anilines and 1,2-dihaloarenes. For the development of this purpose, a novel recoverable palladium nanocatalyst supported on a green biochar under ligand-free conditions is used. Compared with other existing palladium-based protocols, the present synthetic methodology shows a drastic reduction in reaction times and excellent compatibility with different functional groups, allowing to obtain a small library of carbazoles with high yields and regioselectivity. The novel heterogeneous palladium nanocatalyst can be recycled and reused up to five times without significant loss activity.