Bronsted acid catalyzed formation of 1,3-dioxolanes from oxiranes and ketones

The catalytic effect of various acid catalysts (heteropoly acids, Nafion-H, K10 montmorillonite, trifluoroacetic acid, methanesulfonic acid) and the e ffect of the structure of the reactants were investigated on the formation of 1,3-dioxolanes from oxiranes and ketones. The yield of 1,3-dioxolanes st rongly depends on competing reactions, mainly on the ratio of polymerizatio n. K10 montmorillonite was found to be the best catalyst resulting in the f ormation of 1.3-dioxolanes in 50-80% yield under optimal reaction condition s. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.