A scalable and high-yielding synthesis of 2-(2-furyl)-1,3-dioxolane from biomass derived furfural and ethylene glycol using heteropoly acids as green catalyst

Abstract

In present work, Keggin-type commercial heteropoly acids have been employed as efficient solid acid catalysts in the acetalization of biomass-derived furfural with ethylene glycol. The reaction was optimized on parameters such as the type and loading of catalyst, duration of reaction and the relative ratio of reagents. The reaction was scaled up and the cyclic acetal 2-(furan-2-yl)-1,3-dioxolane was isolated in 92 % yield within 4 h using only 2 wt % of phosphotungstic acid in refluxing benzene. © 2019 Chemical Publishing Co.. All rights reserved.