Remarkable catalytic performance of H–Fe–FSM-16, synthesized by use of a microwave hydrothermal process, in the acetylation of 1,2-dimethoxybenzene

A series of acidic, iron-modified, folded-sheet mesoporous materials with different Si-to-Fe ratios has been investigated as catalysts for liquid phase acetylation of 1,2-dimethoxybenzene with acetic anhydride. The catalysts were synthesized by use of a microwave–hydrothermal (M–H) process and characterized by N2 adsorption measurements, X-ray diffraction, electron spin resonance (ESR), Mossbauer spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of pyridine. The catalyst H–Fe–FSM-16 (M–H) (10) resulted in the best performance in acid-catalyzed acetylation of 1,2-dimethoxybenzene with acetic anhydride as acylating agent. The kinetics of acetylation of 1,2-dimethoxybenzene over these catalysts was also investigated.