Beilstein J. Org. Chem.2016,12, 2046–2054, doi:10.3762/bjoc.12.193
environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of para-menthane-3,8-diol from natural citronellal oil in 96% yield, under solvent free aqueous conditions. The acylation of para-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 of para-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.
Keywords
: acylation; diesters; para-menthane-3,8-diol; PS-Sc(OTf)3; Introduction
Although South Africa has a substantial petrochemical industry, the fine chemical industry is very small and most chemicals are imported. As such there is significant interest in the use of natural resources for the manufacture of added