Chemist proposes new method for green synthesis of xanthene derivatives

A RUDN chemist has proposed a new method for the synthesis of xanthene derivatives, which are used as the basis for drug manufacturing—from antidepressants to antiviral and antitumor drugs. The method is based on the example of the synthesis of 1,8-dioxoctahydroxantene and its derivatives. To that end, a safe and stable catalyst based on iron oxide was created on the surface of porous silicon oxide. As a result of the reaction, the yield of xanthene derivatives reached 99 percent. The results were published in Materials.