Tandem synthesis of β-amino alcohols from aniline, dialkyl carbonate, and ethylene glycol

An efficient tandem route for selective synthesis of beta-amino alcohols from anilines, dialkyl carbonate and ethylene glycol in the presence of recyclable Na-Y zeolite has been demonstrated. Transesterification of dialkyl carbonate by ethylene glycol produce ethylene carbonate which further reacts with aniline to give beta-amino alcohols in a single step. This reaction system was studied under high-pressure as well as pot reaction condition. Various process parametric effects were investigated for the reaction of aniline, dialkyl carbonate, and ethylene glycol. It was observed that a maximum 51% yield of mono-beta-amino alcohol, i.e., N-phenylethanolamine (NPEA). is obtained under pressure conditions. The yield of NPEA was improved drastically (>91%) by carrying out the reaction under pot conditions using diethyl carbonate as transesterification agent. Finally activity and selectivity of solid catalyst was explained on the basis of nature of active sites and pore structure of the catalyst.