Highly efficient solvent-free acetylation of alcohols with acetic anhydride catalyzed by recyclable sulfonic acid catalyst (SBA-15–Ph–Pr–SO3H) — An environmentally benign method

The catalytic activity of highly thermal stable, hydrophobic, and complete heterogeneous propylsulfonic acid functionalized nanostructured SBA-15 for excellent acetylation of alcohols and phenols with acetic anhydride at ambient temperature in solvent-free conditions was examined under environmentally benign reaction conditions. The salient features of this protocol are the absence of solvent, a green experimental procedure, and simple reusability of the catalyst (at least five reaction cycles).