Facile transesterification of β-ketoesters under solvent-free condition using borate zirconia solid acid catalyst

Transestrification of methyl/ethyl ketoesters with primary, secondary, allylic, cyclic and benzylic alcohols has been carried out in moderate to good yields under solvent-free condition using borate zirconia solid acid catalyst. The process has simpler work up procedure and the catalyst has been successfully recovered and recycled. The catalyst has been characterized by different techniques like X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia, scanning electron microscopy and surface area measurements. Transesterification using borate zirconia catalyst under solvent-free condition is an economical and environment friendly process. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.