Clean benzylation of anisole with benzyl alcohol over recyclable partially sulfonated imidazole-exchanged heteropoly phosphotungstate

• Partially exchanged heteropoly phosphotungstates with high acid strength is reported.
• Solid catalyst at room temperature can be separated after a liquid-phase reaction.
• Benzylation of anisole by benzyl alcohol with good performance is achieved.

A series of organic heteropoly acidic salts with high acid strength have been prepared via the partial replacement of protons in a neat phosphotungstic acid. These hybrid catalysts have exhibited good activity and selectivity in the benzylation of anisole with benzyl alcohol. The “liquid-phase reaction at high temperature, solid-state separation at room temperature” performance of obtained hybrid catalysts enables an easy recovery and steady reusability demonstrated by a three-run recycling test.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide