Solvent-free synthesis of novelpara-menthane-3,8-diol ester derivatives from citronellal using a polymer-supported scandium triflate catalyst.
The use of natural resources as a chemical feedstock for the synthesis of added-value products is gaining interest; as such we report an environmentally friendly method for the synthesis ofpara-menthane-3,8-diol from natural citronellal oil in 96% yield, under solvent free aqueous conditions. The acylation ofpara-menthane-3,8-diol with various acid anhydrides over polymer-supported scandium triflate (PS-Sc(OTf)3) catalyst was subsequently developed, where both hydroxy groups ofpara-menthane-3,8-diol could be simultaneous acylated under mild reaction conditions to form the corresponding diesters in good yields. The advantages of this method include a simple procedure from natural resources, using solvent-free reaction conditions.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University Way, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa.
Lubabalo
L
Mafu
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University Way, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa.
Ben
B
Zeelie
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University Way, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa.
Paul
P
Watts
PS-Sc(OTf)3; acylation; diesters; para-menthane-3,8-diol