Clean benzylation of anisole with benzyl alcohol over recyclable partially sulfonated imidazole-exchanged heteropoly phosphotungstate

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.catcom.2014.07.039

A series of organic heteropoly acidic salts with high acid strength have been prepared via the partial replacement of protons in a neat phosphotungstic acid. These hybrid catalysts have exhibited good activity and selectivity in the benzylation of anisole with benzyl alcohol. The "liquid-phase reaction at high temperature, solid-state separation at room temperature" performance of obtained hybrid catalysts enables an easy recovery and steady reusability demonstrated by a three-run recycling test.