Simple green dehydration in biphasic medium: Application to the synthesis of phenylacetaldehyde

• Microwave activation for the dehydration of phenylethan-1,2-diol to phenylacetaldehyde.
• FeCl3, HCl and H2SO4 are efficient acid catalysts for the synthesis of phenylacetaldehyde.
• The reusability of the catalyst was efficient during four cycles.
• Application to styrene oxide gave the phenylacetaldehyde in good yield.

A highly efficient, simple and versatile acid catalyst is proposed for the selective acid dehydration of 1-phenylethan-1,2-diol to phenylacetaldehyde in water-CPME biphasic media under microwave irradiation. A high stability and recyclability of the catalyst is also observed under the investigated conditions.

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