Solvent free synthesis of coumarin derivative by the use of AlSBA-1 molecular sieves

AlSBA-1 molecular sieves were synthesized successfully and used for the synthesis of coumarins through Pechmann condensation. The synthesized AlSBA-1 catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET, SEM, FTIR, TGA techniques. The synthesized materials possess large surface area with mesopores. Pechmann condensation of 3-methoxyphenol and ethyl acetoacetate was carried out under solvent free condition and 7-methoxy-4-methylcoumarin was the main product. The selectivity of the product was found to be 74.04%. Among the synthesized catalysts, AlSBA-1(2) showed high activity than others due to high density of acid sites. Hence, AlSBA-1 molecular sieves a better choice of catalyst for the synthesis of coumarins.