Synthesis Of Unsymmetrical Ethers Research Articles

Iodine catalysed synthesis of unsymmetrical benzylic ethers by direct cross-coupling of alcohols

Although symmetrical ethers can be synthesized easily from alcohols, synthesis of unsymmetrical ethers by dehydrative cross-coupling of alcohols is still a challenge. While dehydrative cross-coupling is environmentally appealing due to formation of water as the only byproduct, the chances for formation of symmetrical ethers always exist. The existing transition metal based methods give good selectivity, but the catalyst are costly and not readily available. Here, we present a simple, readily available, and cost-effective catalyst in the form of molecular iodine which catalyzes a highly selective cross-coupling of benzylic alcohols with benzyl, alkyl, and aryl alcohols to give their corresponding unsymmetrical ethers in good to excellent yield.

Effect of the niobium state on the properties of NbSiBEA as bifunctional catalysts for gas- and liquid-phase tandem processes

Abstract NbSiBEA zeolites contained isolated framework mononuclear Nb(V) (Nb0.7SiBEA) and a mixture of framework mononuclear and extra-framework polynuclear Nb(V) (Nb2.0SiBEA) were prepared by two-step postsynthesis method as evidenced by XRD, NMR, DR UV–vis and FTIR. DR UV–vis showed that two types of framework mononuclear Nb(V) are present in Nb0.7SiBEA, while Nb2.0SiBEA mainly contained isolated mononuclear Nb(V) in the framework of zeolite and polynuclear Nb(V) in the extra-framework position. FTIR with pyridine and 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine as probe molecules showed that major amount Lewis and weak Bronsted acidic sites are formed by incorporation of niobium in the framework of zeolites as mononuclear Nb(V). The catalytic properties of Nb-containing zeolites were investigated in tandem processes of ethanol conversion into 1,3-butadiene (gas-phase) and synthesis of unsymmetrical ethers from aromatic aldehyde and aliphatic alcohol (liquid-phase). It has been found that Nb0.7SiBEA catalyst, containing only isolated framework mononuclear Nb(V) is more active than Nb2.0SiBEA in the conversion of ethanol and ethanol/acetaldehyde mixture into 1,3-butadiene, MPV reduction of crotonaldehyde with ethanol and etherification of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol with 2-butanol. The higher specific activity (turnover number/frequency) of Nb0.7SiBEA than Nb2.0SiBEA catalyst has been revealed for gas- and liquid-phase tandem processes.

An Efficient One‐Pot Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Ethers: A Directly Reductive Deoxygenation of Esters Using an InBr3/Et3SiH Catalytic System.

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Synthesis of unsymmetrical ethers and branched olefins from alcohols over a novel (HO)3ZrO3SO–CH2CH2–OSO3Zr(OH)3-derived catalyst

A novel disodium 1,2-ethanediol bis(hydrogen sulfate) salt precursor-based solid acid catalyst is demonstrated to have significantly enhanced activity and high selectivity in producing methyl isobutyl ether (MIBE) or isobutene from a methanol–isobutanol mixture.