Synthesis of octahydro-2H-chromen-4-ol from vanillin and isopulegol over acid modified montmorillonite clays: Effect of acidity on the Prins cyclization

•The calcium-rich natural clays were prepared by modification with HCl.•The concentration of HCl affects the textural and acid–base properties.•The acid-activated clays were used as catalyst for the Prins cyclization reaction.•Textural and acid–base properties of materials are key factors for their catalytic behaviour.

Two calcium-rich natural layered aluminosilicates containing 90–95 wt.% montmorillonite were chemically activated using 0.125–3.0 M HCl solutions. Structural and textural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis and N2-adsorption/desorption analyses. According to infrared spectroscopy using pyridine as probe molecule, the amount of Brønsted acid sites increased when increasing HCl concentration. The catalytic performance of these materials was investigated in the Prins cyclization of (−)-isopulegol with vanillin to form octahydro-2H-chromen-4-ol, carried out in toluene at 35 °C. It was found that the amount of Brønsted acid sites and the microporosity of the catalysts are key factors for the control of the reaction rate and the selectivity towards octahydro-2H-chromen-4-ol.

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