Laccase-a natural source for the synthesis of benzofuro[2,3-c]pyrazolin-5-ones

Enzymatic oxidation of catechols/hydroquinones in the presence of pyrazolin-5-ones as a nucleophile in aqueous solution has been investigated in detail by applying laccase as a catalyst. This is the first report for the enzymatic synthesis of a novel series of compounds. We derived some new compounds with the catechol/hydroquinone ring in moderate yields based on enzymatic synthesis in an environmentally benign aqueous solution. These types of reactions represent a milestone along the path of future sustainable green chemistry.