Different shapes and phases of titania nanostructures with the uniform size distribution were synthesized by hydrothermal sol–gel technique. The influence of annealing temperature on the crystalline character, size and phase of the prepared nanomaterials were evidenced from the diffraction analysis. Infrared spectroscopic analysis ensured the structural confirmation of the sulfated titania nanostructures. Catalytic activity of the synthesized nanometric materials in direct amidation of aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acids with aromatic amines was evaluated. Among the materials studied, sulfated titania nanotubes with the anatase phase exhibited excellent catalytic activity. The employed solvent-free protocol is greener and eradicates the drawbacks associated with the hazardous solvents employed in the prevailing solution phase methodologies.

A one pot, three component synthesis of tetrazoles via thiourea has been accomplished in water. Water enhances the solubility of a higher number of components in the three component protocol thus promoting the reaction. The synthesis involves a chemoselective exocyclic reaction, regioselective electrocyclisation and a preferred conformational orientation of the tetrazole side chain which are rationalised based on the relative magnitude of Garbisch angle strain/allylic strains anticipated during the course of the reaction.

A rapid and efficient one pot solvent/scavenger-free protocol for the synthesis of 2-iminothiazolidin-4-ones has been developed. Interestingly, the regio/stereoselective synthesis affords the regioisomeric (Z)-3-alkyl/aryl-2-(2-phenylcyclohex-2-enylimino)thiazolidin-4-one as the sole product in good yield. The selectivities observed have been rationalized based on the relative magnitude of the allylic strains developed during the course of the reaction. This is the first report wherein the impact of allylic strains in directing the regiocyclization has been noted.

Two different heterocycles, thiazole-2-imines and imidazole-2-thiones, have been conveniently synthesized by just altering the sequential order (1 + 2 + 3 or 1 + 3 + 2) when combining the same components [aryl amine (1), aryl isothiocyanate (2), and phenacyl bromide (3)] in one-pot, three-component protocols. The third possible sequential order of combination (2 + 3 + 1) chemoselectively affords thiazole-2-imine. The finding is a stepping stone in the synthetic applicability of sequential one-pot, three-component protocols.