Cordierite honeycomb supported Mo(VI)/ZrO2 for microwave assisted Pinacol-Pinacolone rearrangement

Abstract

ZrO₂, Mo(VI)/ZrO₂, SO₄^2-/ZrO₂and Pt-SO₄^2-/ZrO₂ supported on honeycomb monoliths have been prepared and characterized for their physico-chemical properties such as surface acidity, crystalinity, functionality and morphology. These materials have been used as solid acid catalysts in the pinacol rearrangement of benzopinacol under microwave irradiation. A few diols have also been subjected to pinacol rearrangement to obtain a good conversion of rearrangement products with high selectivity. Optimization of reaction conditions has also studied to determine the most suitable reaction conditions for the effective synthesis of pinacolone derivatives. Up to 98% conversion of benzopinacol is observed under a set of optimized reaction conditions. A reactivation and reusability study of zirconia based solid acid catalysts has also performed.