Easy eco-friendly phenonium ion production from phenethyl alcohols in dimethyl carbonate

An efficient and simple one-pot procedure for selective etherification of 2-aryl-ethylalcohols has been achieved through Amberlyst 15-catalyzed reaction in dimethyl carbonate (DMC). Moreover, the polymer catalyst could be recovered and reused with no effect on its activity. The reaction mechanism involves the formation of phenonium ion which has been demonstrated by a C-C bond forming reaction. Theoretical studies are in agreement with and thus explain experimental results. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.