REPORT ON SELECTIVE ACYLATION OF BENZYLIC ALCOHOL TO BENZYL ACETATE WITH CATALYTIC SYSTEM Ni/SiO2: AN ENVIRONMENTALLY BENEVOLENT APPROACH

摘要

An efficient and selective method was developed for the first time with 10% Ni/SiO2 catalytic system for acylation of benzyl alcohol to benzyl acetate with 98% conversion using acetonitrile solvent under reflux with acetic anhydride. In this method we used aromatic alcohols like 4-chlorobenzyl alcohol and 4-nitrobenzyl alcohol, respectively. Ni species formed on silica surface demonstrates that Ni silica catalyst is active, while the calcined 2, 5 and 10% Ni/SiO2 were less active compared with uncalcined 2, 5 and 10% Ni/SiO2 catalysts, which were active for the title reaction. 10% Ni/SiO2 catalysts were characterised by XRD, IR, BET, SEM, and UVDRS analyses. The catalysts showed remarkable reusability of 3 cycles, there is no leaching of catalysts, and finally blank reaction was also tested. The method of acylation is superactive, economic, and environmentally benevolent.