A novel and efficient procedure for the preparation of benzyl alcohol by hydrolysis of benzyl chloride catalyzed by PEG1000-DAIL[BF4]/Fe2(SO4)3 under homogeneous catalysis in aqueous media

Abstract

In this work, benzyl alcohol was obtained in 96% excellent yield by hydrolysis of benzyl chloride catalyzed<br />by the recyclable temperature-dependant phase-separation system that comprised the ionic liquid PEG1000-<br />DAIL[BF4], toluene and ferric sulfate under homogeneous catalysis in aqueous media. This novel method<br />not only enhanced the yield, but also made the operating units easy workup. The catalytic system can be<br />recycled or reused without any significant loss of catalytic activity. The mechanism of hydrolysis reaction<br />and the process of catalysis in the thermoregulated ionic liquid bi-phase system were also proposed.