Microwave-induced deactivation-free catalytic activity of BEA zeolite in acylation reactions

► Acylation of p-cresol with carboxylic acids was studied over BEA zeolite. ► Conventional heating resulted in low yields due to formation of coke precursors. ► Deactivation-free catalytic activity with higher yield seen with microwave heating. ► Microwave heat-up energy of p-cresol possibly suppresses coke formation.