A solvent-free approach for the regioselective synthesis of β-amino alcohols inshorter reaction times and higher yields, compared to conventional heating is described. Itinvolves microwave (MW) exposure of undiluted reactants in the presence of sulphatedzirconia (SZ) or sulphated zirconia over MCM-41 (SZM) as catalyst. Both acid materialscan be easily recovered and reused.
Sulfated zirconia and SZ/MCM-41 were used as catalysts for the synthesis of β-aminoalcohols via epoxide aminolysis. Sulfated zirconia was prepared by sol-gel andSZ/MCM-41 was obtained by impregnation. Solid catalysts were characterized by XRD,SEM-EDS, UV-Vis, FT-IR pyridine desorption and Nitrogen physisorption. Both acidmaterials were useful as catalysts, even when they were recycled several times. The β-aminoalcohols were characterized by FT-IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR and GC-MS.
Er(OTf)3 is proposed as a highly efficient and reusable catalyst for the opening of epoxides in water with aliphatic as well as aromatic amines leading to the synthesis of β-amino alcohols. The aqueous conditions employed in the present method will make it ‘environmentally friendly’ and potentially useful for industrial applications.