Jenifer Robinson, Speaker at Renewable Energy Conferences
Indian School Alwadi AL Kabir, Oman
Title : Quinazolines: Green synthesis, characterization and biological activities

Abstract:

This research explores the synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of quinazoline derivatives using green chemistry principles for sustainable pharmaceutical development. By adopting environmentally responsible strategies—such as using renewable feedstocks, non-toxic solvents, and energy-efficient techniques—the study aims to reduce the ecological footprint associated with conventional organic synthesis. These methods not only lower hazardous waste and energy usage but also enhance cost-effectiveness and environmental safety. The synthesized quinazolines are evaluated for their antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, emphasizing their potential as sustainable alternatives in modern drug development. This research highlights the integration of green chemistry into heterocyclic drug synthesis. Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are indispensable in medicinal chemistry due to their vast biological and therapeutic potential. These structures appear in over 90% of newly approved drugs and play vital roles in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and veterinary medicine. Alkaloidal nitrogen compounds, in particular, significantly influence metabolic pathways and therapeutic activities. Quinazoline, a notable heterocycle first synthesized in 1869, serves as a privileged scaffold in drug design. It is associated with a wide spectrum of biological activities, including antibacterial, anticancer, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antimalarial properties. Notable derivatives like Gefitinib and Erlotinib are used effectively in cancer therapy. Recent advances in synthetic methodologies—such as phase-transfer catalysis, microwave-assisted synthesis, and metal-catalyzed reactions—have greatly expanded the biological applications of quinazolines. In parallel, thiophenes and benzothiophenes, synthesized via Grignard reactions, cyclization, and Suzuki coupling, exhibit potent antibacterial and anticancer properties. Pyrazoles, synthesized through hydrazine condensation and ring closure, are also known for their antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. The alarming rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria calls for novel antibacterial agents. Our research investigates the synthesis of quinazolin-2-amines coupled with thiophene or pyrazole moieties. While these pharmacophores have been explored individually, their combination is a novel strategy that could enhance antibacterial efficacy and open new directions in drug discovery.

Biography:

Dr. Jenifer Robinson, Assistant Vice Principal (Secondary Science) at Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir, Oman, and a CBSE Best Teacher Awardee (2022), is an accomplished educator with 29 years of teaching experience. She holds multiple degrees including B.Sc., M.Sc., M.Phil., B.Ed., M.Sc. (Applied Psychology), and a Ph.D. in Chemistry (2025) from K.R. Mangalam University, India, along with a Diploma in French from the Alliance Française de Madras. Since joining ISWK in 2003, she has led the Science, Mathematics, ICT, and French Departments, guiding numerous CBSE Class VI–XII Science projects and coordinating Olympiads, Science Fairs, and Innovation programs. She led a student delegation to NASA (Houston, USA) in 2014 for a certified Space School programme at the Johnson Space Center. Dr. Jenifer has also represented the school and the Sultanate of Oman internationally, including at the International Conference on Green Chemistry and Renewable Energy (Paris, France – 2024), earning global recognition for her paper on Sustainable Chemistry in Education. An author and editor of several science publications, including Practical Engineering Chemistry and the e-magazine COSMOS, she has presented research papers on Nanotechnology, Sustainability, and Green Energy, receiving Best Paper and Appreciation Awards. Her contributions have been acknowledged through the Women ICON Innovative Teacher Award (2022), GSFN Platinum Award (2024), and the forthcoming Global Educator Award (2025). A certified Innovation Ambassador, CBSE Resource Person, and STEAM Ambassador, Dr. Jenifer continues to inspire teachers and students globally through her leadership, scholarship, and commitment to excellence in STEM and multilingual education.

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