Harnessing Oxalic Acid: Advances in Catalysis for Organic Reactions

Abstract In a variety of reactions, oxalic acid has shown itself to be a flexible natural organic catalyst that effectively promotes the synthesis of complex organic compounds. Its importance in contemporary organic synthesis is highlighted by its diversity of uses, which include metal‐free methods for creating valuable compounds and deep eutectic solvents (DES) for high‐yield syntheses. This review delves into the multifaceted catalytic roles of oxalic acid, elucidating its function as a powerful Brønsted acid for various transformations and its synergistic behaviour within DES systems. This review meticulously showcases its utility in the synthesis of a wide array of biologically significant heterocyclic scaffolds. Future studies might focus on improving these reactions even further and investigating novel applications for oxalic acid in organic transformations including multicomponent systems, solidifying its pivotal role in advancing green chemistry.