Sulfonic acid functionalized ordered nanoporous Na+ montmorillonite as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the chemoselective methoxymethylation of alcohols

Sulfonic acid functionalized ordered nanoporous sodium montmorillonite was easily prepared by the reaction of sodium montmorillonite with chlorosulfonic acid. The new catalyst demonstrated efficient and chemoselective methoxymethylation reaction of alcohols with formaldehyde dimethyl acetal in chloroform under reflux conditions. This reaction affords corresponding ethers in good to excellent yields. The present method offers several advantages such as short reaction times, high yields, simple procedure, mild conditions, heterogeneous nature, and reusability of the catalyst.