Nanocrystalline TiO2–HClO4 as a new, efficient and recyclable catalyst for the chemoselective trimethylsilylation of alcohols, phenols and deprotection of silyl ethers

TiO2–HClO4, as a new solid acid, was found to be an efficient catalyst for the chemoselective trimethylsilylation of alcohols and phenols. Deprotection of the resulting trimethylsilylethers was achieved using the same catalyst in methanol solvent. The synthesized catalyst was characterized by FT-IR, SEM, TEM, BET and XRD analyses. Our novel synthetic method has the advantages of high yields, short reaction times, low cost and recyclability of the catalyst, simplicity and easy work-up compared to the conventional methods reported in the literature.

Graphical abstractTiO2–HClO4 was found to be a mild, novel, efficient and reusable catalyst for trimethylsilylation of alcohols and phenols and deprotection of trimethylsilyl ethers under mild reaction conditions at room temperature.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Synthesis of TiO2–HClO4. ► Application of TiO2–HClO4 in the silylation and de-silylation reactions. ► Catalysis under mild reaction conditions. ► Easy work-up and reusability of the catalyst. ► Comparison of the obtained results with other catalysts.