Solvent-free synthesis of novel para-menthane-3,8-diol ester derivatives from citronellal using a polymer-supported scandium triflate catalyst

• Lubabalo Mafu,
• Ben Zeelie and
• Paul Watts

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

• : 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

• the starting material. During the study, various acid anhydrides such as acetic 5, propionic 6, pentanoic 7 and hexanoic anhydride 8 were used to prepare the corresponding diester derivatives 9–12. To afford an environmentally-friendly process, a polymer-bound scandium triflate (PS-Sc(OTf)3) catalyst