Melamine Sulfonic Acid: A Recoverable Catalyst for the Ecofriendly Synthesis of Thiocyanohydrins Under Solvent-Free Conditions

Abstract

Melamine sulfonic acid as a novel and efficient solid acid catalyst has been synthesized and used in the ring opening of epoxides under solvent-free conditions. This catalyst afforded the corresponding thiocyanohydrins with good regioselectivity and very short reaction times. The catalyst can be easily separated and reused several times without appreciable loss of activity. The availability and recoverability of the catalyst with easy operation and workup make this method attractive for organic synthesis.

Keywords:

• Melamine sulfonic acid
• ring opening of epoxide
• solid acid catalyst
• thiocyanohydrin

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We gratefully acknowledge the support of this work by the Chamran University Research Council.

Notes

^a Products were identified by comparison of their physical and spectral data with those of authentic samples.

^b Isolated yields.

^c According to gas chromatographic (GC) analysis.

^a All reactions carried out under similar conditions.