Organosulphur compounds as building blocks for heterogeneous catalytic systems: Applications in catalysis and electrocatalysis

Organo-sulphur compounds have garnered a lot of attention. They have been extensively studied in recent decades. Development of heterogeneous catalytic systems utilizing organo-sulphur compounds as well as their applications in catalysis of a variety of chemical transformations and electrocatalysis are covered in this article. Salient features and advantages of organo-sulphur compounds as ligands are highlighted to justify the rationale behind their use in heterogeneous catalyst development. Their performance in various chemical transformations [viz. Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, Heck coupling, Sonogashira coupling, C-O coupling, aldehyde-alkyne-amine A3 coupling, hydrogenation of nitrobenzenes, C-3 arylation of indole, hydrogenation of unsaturated organic compounds, estrification, semihydrogenation of alkynes, Ullmann-type homocoupling, [3 + 2] cycloaddition, are critically analyzed along with relevant aspects of catalytic processes such as recyclability, substrate scope and green aspects. Additionally, their application in electrocatalysis has been elaborated. The efficiency of such catalytic systems in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and electrocatalytic oxidation of nitric oxide has been analyzed. Mechanistic aspects and future perspectives are discussed.