Zinc zirconium phosphate as an efficient catalyst for chemoselective synthesis of 1,1-diacetates under solvent-free conditions

Abstract

In the present study, a mild, rapid, and efficient method for the protection of aldehydes with acetic anhydride (AA) in the presence of zinc zirconium phosphate (ZPZn) as a nano catalyst, at room temperature is reported. Selective conversion of aldehydes was observed in the presence of ketones. Under these conditions, different aldehydes bearing electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents were reacted with AA and the corresponding 1,1-diacetates (acylals) were obtained in high to excellent yields. The steric and electronic properties of the different substrates had a significant influence on the reaction conditions. Also, the deprotection of 1,1-diacetates has been achieved using this catalyst in water. This nanocatalyst was characterized by several physico-chemical techniques. It was recovered easily from the reaction mixture, regenerated and reused at least 7 times without significant loss in catalytic activity. This protocol has the advantages of easy availability, stability, reusability of the eco-friendliness, chemoselectivity, simple experimental and work-up procedure, solvent-free conditions and usage of only a stoichiometric amount of AA.