Efficient approach for the chemoselective acetylation of alcohols catalyzed by a novel metal oxide nanocatalyst CuO-ZnO

A new method has been developed for the chemoselective acetylation of alcohols with acetic anhydride in the presence of phenols using a novel, recyclable CuO-ZnO nanocatalyst. The catalyst was synthesized using the co-precipitation method and characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersion scanning analyses. Furthermore, this catalyst could be recycled up to six times without significant loss in its activity.

Graphical AbstractA new CuO-ZnO nanocatalyst has been developed as an efficient recyclable catalyst for the chemoselective acetylation of alcohols.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide