Wells–Dawson heteropolyacid as reusable catalyst for sustainable synthesis of flavones

The behavior of Wells–Dawson (H6P2W18O62·24H2O, WD) acid, both bulk and supported on silica, for the cyclodehydration reaction of 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-1,3-propanedione to obtain flavone was studied in heterogeneous conditions, using toluene as solvent. Catalytic experiences with bulk and supported catalysts with different WD acid loadings and reuse of the catalysts were done. The catalytic activity of supported catalysts was higher than that of the bulk catalyst, and their activity was almost constant after three reaction cycles. The following reaction conditions: reflux toluene and 1% mmol of WD supported on silica (0.4 g WD acid by gram of silica) were used for the preparation of five flavones. Yields above 85% were obtained in 4–5 h.

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► Wells–Dawson heteropolyacid as heterogeneous catalyst to obtain flavones.
► Supported catalyst was re-used three times without losing activity.
► Yields above 85% were obtained in 4–5 h.