Universal and recyclable heterogeneous zinc catalyst was developed!

　We developed a universal and recyclable heterogeneous zinc/imidazole catalyst for transesterification. The catalyst is recoverable through simple filtration and can be reused at least five times, retaining its catalytic activity.
　This research achievement has been published on May 31, 2016, in the online edition of the German academic magazine Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis.
　Prof. Ohshima says the present heterogeneous zinc catalyst is easy to use and highly practical.

For more information about this research, see
Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, Ohshima et al.: “Transesterification Reaction Catalyzed by Recyclable Heterogeneous Zinc/Imidazole Catalyst”
DOI: 10.1002/adsc.201600229

Fig. 1. We developed a highly practical heterogeneous zinc/imidazole catalyst. The catalyst was effective in a broad-spectrum of solvents, such as toluene, ethyl acetate, methanol, and dimethyl carbonate, with enhanced catalytic activity. The recyclability of the catalyst was also demonstrated by recovery-reuse experiments, and the catalyst promoted various reactions in various solvents at least five times without loss of the activity. Further application of the heterogeneous zinc catalyst to a continuous flow process is in progress.