We substituted several environmentally friendly catalysts which included HY and H- β zeolites, various cation-exchanged β zeolites, and solid-supported ferric chloride for conventional catalysts for the synthesis of 3-(1-cyclohexenyl)-2-butanone from the reaction of ethylidenecyclohexane with acetic anhydride at room temperature. HY zeolite was found to be the most effective for this reaction, and gave the acylated product in a 72% yield under the conditions of n (ethylidenecyclohexane)/ n (acetic anhydride)/ m (HY zeolite)=1 mmol/10 mmol/0 100 g, reaction temperature 25 ℃ and reaction time 2 h. The used HY zeolite can be recovered, regenerated and gave almost the same yield as the fresh one. The lifetime of the HY zeolite is over 80 h. The effect of different factors on the reaction has also been investigated.
