Silica sulfate as an efficient recyclable catalyst for protection of α-hydroxy acids with cyclohexanone

Abstract

Silica sulfate has been found to be an effective catalyst for protection of α-hydroxy acids under mild reaction conditions. Although the reaction can be carried out in diethyl ether, a remarkable rate enhancement was observed when the reaction was carried out under solvent-free condition. The catalyst could also be recovered and reused without any significant loss of reactivity. A wide range of α-hydroxy acids could be protected using cyclohexanone derivatives in high yield in presence of silica sulfate catalyst at room temperature. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.