Report on selective acylation of benzylic alcohol to benzyl acetate with catalytic system ni/sio2: An environmentally benevolent approach

Journal Article

, Alam, M, Rahman, A, Alandis, N.M, Mohammed Rafi Shaik . 2013

• Publication Online URL: Report on selective acylation of benzylic alcohol to benzyl acetate with catalytic system ni/sio2: An environmentally benevolent
• Magazine \ Newspaper: Oxidation Communications
• Issue Number: 1
• Volume Number: 36
• Pages: 261-270

Publication Abstract

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.