Fe(HSO4)3 as an inexpensive, eco-friendly, heterogeneous and reusable catalyst for acetal/ketal formation and their facile regeneration

Fe(HSO4)3 has been used as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for acetalization and ketalization of carbonyl compounds with neopentyl glycol. The advantage of this method is the use of a novel catalyst system which is inexpensive, heterogeneous and stable with an easy procedure and short reaction times. The catalyst can be recovered and reused without significant loss of activity. In turn, the deprotection of acetals to the corresponding carbonyls was occurred rapidly in aqueous acetone using the same catalyst.