Debenzylation of benzyl phenyl ether and its derivatives with acetic anhydride over zeolite

The debenzylation of benzyl phenyl ether (BPE) and its derivatives with acetic anhydride over zeolite was investigated. HY9 displayed the high activity in BPE debenzylation due to its high molar ratio of Lewis acid sites to Brönsted acid sites (L/B). Debenzylation also depended on the substituent attached to the aromatic ring of pheoxide. Electron-releasing substituent promoted benzyl group migration onto aromatic ring. However, electron-drawing substituent was in favor of the oxygen of ether to be attacked by acetylium ions into debenzylation products. In addition, the effects of reaction temperature and time on BPE debenzylation were also studied.