Green synthesis of 4-methoxybenzophenone from anisole and benzoic acid catalyzed by tungstophosphoric acid supported on MCM-41

摘要

An efficient method was established for the green synthesis of 4-methoxybenzophenone using benzoic acid as acylating agent catalyzed by tung-stophosphoric acid (HPW) supported on MCM-41 (HPW/MCM-41). The conversion of benzoic acid reached 97.2 % and the selectivity for 4-methoxybenzophenone was 87.4 % under the optimum conditions over a 50 wt.% HPW/MCM-41 catalyst. HPW is proven to be well deposited on MCM-41, which leads to dealumination of MCM-41 and then offers more active centers, as demonstrated by inductively coupled plasma analysis and NH3 temperature-programmed desorption, accounting for the high catalytic activity of HPW/MCM-41.