Abstract
An efficient and selective method was developed for the first time with 10% Ni/SiO2 catalytic system for acylation of benzyl alcohol to benzyl acetate with 98% conversion using acetonitrile solvent under reflux with acetic anhydride. In this method we used aromatic alcohols like 4-chlorobenzyl alcohol and 4-nitrobenzyl alcohol, respectively. Ni species formed on silica surface demonstrates that Ni silica catalyst is active, while the calcined 2, 5 and 10% Ni/SiO2 were less active compared with uncalcined 2, 5 and 10% Ni/SiO2 catalysts, which were active for the title reaction. 10% Ni/SiO2 catalysts were characterised by XRD, IR, BET, SEM, and UVDRS analyses. The catalysts showed remarkable reusability of cycles, there is no leaching of catalysts, and finally blank reaction was also tested. The method of acylation is superactive, economic, and environmentally benevolent.