Al(OTf)3 — A highly efficient catalyst for the tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols under solvent-free conditions

Abstract

A simple and highly efficient method has been developed for the tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols by their reaction with 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (DHP) using a catalytic amount (0.01–1 mol%) of aluminium triflate under solvent-free conditions. The effect of various factors like temperature, amount of the catalyst, and molar ratio of substrates on the reaction conditions has also been studied. The comparative study of tetrahydropyranylation of benzyl alcohol using various catalysts including some reported ones shows the efficiency of this catalyst.Key words: tetrahydropyranylation, aluminium triflate, alcohols, catalysis.