Tuning Acidity of Sulfonated Mesoporous Polymers (MP−SO3H) for Efficient Tetrahydropyranylation of Alcohols at Room Temperature

Abstract

AbstractThe sulfonated mesoporous polymers (MP−SO3H) with varying acidity were synthesized by template free solvothermal method followed by sulfonation at different intervals of time. The catalytic activities were tested for the tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols. Among the synthesized materials, MP−SO3H‐12 was found to be efficient and demonstrated the highest yield of pyranylated product which is superior in contrast to various heterogeneous catalysts screened. Furthermore, the substrate scope was extended to various primary, secondary, benzylic, aromatic, substituted aromatic and bulkier alcohol substrates. The catalyst retained its heterogeneity and there is no loss in its activity beyond three catalytic runs. The results observed herein are significant and comparable with the best reports available in the open literature. These interesting findings observed over MP−SO3H‐12 make it a potential candidate for the pyranylation of various alcohols under ambient reaction conditions.