Selective synthesis of perfumery grade cyclohexyl esters from cyclohexene and carboxylic acids over ion exchange resins: an example of 100% atom economy

Esterification is important in the perfumery and flavour chemical industry, wherein, both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts have been widely use d. The use of solid acid catalysts can be effective from the view of activi ty, selectivity, reusability and economy in the manufacture of perfumery es ters. This paper delineates a 100% atom economical process for the preparat ion of cyclohexyl esters from carboxylic acids and cyclohexene over ion exc hange resin catalysts where all the reactant atoms are utilised without any by-product formation. The preparation of perfumery esters such as cyclohex ylphenyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, cyclohexyl anthranilate, cyclohexyl b enzoate, cyclohexyl butyrate, cyclohexyl iso-butyrate, cyclohexyl heptanoat e and cyclohexyl propionate is covered. A complete theoretical and experime ntal analysis is presented for the model studies with phenylacetic acid and cyclohexene.