Benzylsulfonic acid functionalized mesoporous Zr-TMS (Zr-TMS-BSA, Zr-TMS, zirconia based transition metal oxide mesoporous molecular sieves) catalyst is used as an alternative to conventional acid catalysts in the von Pechmann condensation of aromatic alcohols with ethyl acetoacetate leading to the formation of coumarin derivatives in solvent free condition at 150 degrees C. Three types of coumarins, 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (beta-methylumbelliferone), 7-methoxy-4-methylcoumarin (Methyl-4-methylumbelliferyl ether) and 7,8-benzo-4-methylcoumarin derivatives have been prepared using resorcinol, 3-methoxyphenol and 1-naphthol, respectively. The catalytic activity and the recycle studies of the catalyst in all the three reactions proved the superior performance of the catalyst. Further the products were confirmed by GC, elemental analysis, melting point and NMR techniques. Finally, the probable mechanism for Pechmarm condensation using Zr-TMS-BSA catalyst has been reported. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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