A rapid, convenient and chemoselective synthesis of acylals from aldehydes catalyzed by reusable nano-ordered MCM-41-SO3H

Acylals were prepared by direct condensation of aldehydes with acetic anhydride using nano-ordered MCM-41-SO3H as a heterogeneous catalyst under solvent-free conditions at room temperature in a very short reaction time and excellent yields. The catalyst is recyclable, non-toxic, neither air nor moisture sensitive, and easy to handle. High chemoselectivity toward aldehydes in the presence of ketones is another advantage of the present method which provides selective protection of aldehydes in their mixtures with ketones.