One-Pot Synthesis: A Modern Review of Strategies, Principles, and Applications in Chemical Manufacturing

As a foundational strategy in modern synthetic chemistry, one-pot synthesis involves the execution of multiple, sequential chemical reactions within a single reaction vessel. This methodology fundamentally redefines synthetic routes by obviating the need to isolate and purify intermediate compounds, which in turn provides substantial benefits related to efficiency, sustainability, and the management of resources. This review offers a thorough examination of the principles and techniques that underpin one-pot synthesis. We investigate the primary classifications of these procedures, such as tandem, domino, and cascade reactions, and explore the tactical use of multicomponent reactions (MCRs) alongside catalytic sequential transformations. The significant advantages, including enhanced step and atom economy, diminished solvent use and waste production, and considerable reductions in time and labor, are analyzed in detail with reference to Green Chemistry metrics like the E-Factor and Process Mass Intensity (PMI). Furthermore, we underscore the critical importance of one-pot synthesis in diverse fields, encompassing the total synthesis of intricate natural products, the swift assembly of compound libraries for pharmaceutical research, and the fabrication of advanced materials. In closing, this review offers a critical look at the associated challenges, like reagent compatibility and the complexities of optimization, and considers the future trajectory, which points toward the integration of one-pot methods with pioneering technologies such as flow chemistry, automated synthesis, and artificial intelligence to propel chemical manufacturing forward.