Zwitterionic imidazolium salt: An efficient organocatalyst for tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols

An aprotic imidazole based zwitterionic-salt, 4-(3-methylimidazolium)-butane sulfonate has been found to be an efficient organocatalyst for tetrahydropyranylation by the reaction of 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (DHP) and different aliphatic alcohols as well as various phenolic compounds. The notable advantages of the present method are general applicability to various alcohols, clean reaction, production of no hazardous waste, open air reaction conditions and high yields. The catalyst can be reused without the loss of significant catalytic activity.