Acetylation of alcohols and phenols under solvent-free conditions using iron zirconium phosphate

Abstract

Iron zirconium phosphate (ZPFe) nanoparticles were found to function as an efficient catalyst for the acetylation of a wide range of alcohols and phenols using acetic anhydride, generating good to excellent yields under solvent-free conditions. The steric and electronic properties of various substrates had a significant influence on the reaction conditions required to achieve the acetylation. The catalyst used in the current study was characterized by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. These analyses revealed that the interlayer distance in the catalyst increased from 7.5 to 9.3 Å when Fe3+ was intercalated between the layers, whereas the crystallinity of the material was reduced. This nanocatalyst could also be recovered and reused at least six times without any discernible decrease in its catalytic activity. This new method for the acetylation of alcohols and phenols has several important advantages, including mild and environmentally friendly reaction conditions, as well as good to excellent yields and a facile work-up.