Efficient Protection of Alcohols with Carboxylic Acids Using a Variety of Heteropolyoxometallates as Catalysts, Studying Effective Reaction Parameters

Esterification is an important class of reactions in the preparation of perfumery and flavor chemicals, wherein homogeneous, solid acidic, and superacidic catalysts are normally used. Now, an efficient and selective protocol for protection of various functionalized alcohols employing carboxylic acids as protecting agents is realized through the catalytic mediation of simple heteropolyoxometallates. In this methodology, water is the only by-product and notably the aspect of effluent treatments does not arise. The advantages include the operational simplicity, recycle ability of the catalyst and mild reaction conditions. The present catalytic system may be a potential candidate not only for laboratory practice but also for commercial applications and offers an environmentally safer alternative to the existing processes.