Efficient synthesis of benzoin methyl ether catalyzed by hydrotalcite containing cobalt

An efficient synthesis of benzoin methyl ether with benzaldehyde and methanol in the presence of MgCoAl–hydrotalcite catalyst has been developed. By this new method, not only the cyanide poisoning is avoided, but also the synthesis of benzoin methyl ether can be completed in one step instead of the traditional two steps with both condensation and etherification. A new way for major industrial processes to synthesize clean benzoin methyl ether was explored.