Cu3/2PMo12O40/SiO2: A Heterogeneous, Eco-friendly and Reusable Catalyst for the Solvent-Free Catalytic Preparation of 1,1-Diacetates from Aldehydes

Aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes were transformed to 1,1-diacetates (acylals) under mild conditions by treatment with acetic anhydride and Cu3/2PMo12O40/SiO2 catalyst. This catalyst was efficient for the preparation of 1,1-diacetate under solvent-free conditions. The reverse reaction using the resulting 1,1-diacetate was achieved using the same catalyst in acetonitrile as a solvent. This new method has the advantages of excellent yields and short reaction time. The catalyst can be reused several times although it gets less active.