Iron oxide-pillared clay catalyzed the synthesis of acetonides from epoxides

•FeOx-pillared bentonite efficiently catalyzed the conversion of epoxides.•The reaction furnished acetonides in excellent yields under mild reaction conditions.•The quantitative yields were obtained using 10 wt.% of catalysts at RT for 5 min.•Up to five times of this catalytic system could be achieved without loss of activity.

FeOx-pillared clays (FeOx-pillared bentonite, FeOx-pillared hectorite and FeOx-pillared taeniolite) were synthesized by the intercalation of FeCl3 into clay interlayers and calcination. The synthesized catalysts were exploited for conversion of epoxides furnishing acetonides in good to quantitative yields with short time under mild conditions. The catalysts could be recovered and reused up to five times without appreciable loss of activity.

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