Thiamine an Unexplored, Ecologically Hormonizable, Nontoxic Catalyst for Benzoylation

Numerous catalysts have been evaluated to assist benzoylation since its origin (1883), each having their own pros and cons with respect to synthetic environment. However, the one (thiamine) we report here is superior as well as multidimensionally advantageous with reference to non-hygroscopic characteristic, stability at room temperature and reaction conditions, uninflammable, non-volatile, easy to handle, non-corrosive, environmentally harmonizable, biodegradable, recyclable and non-toxic. Our result denies the traditional concept of ‘Inorganic alkaline assistance’ for benzoylation. The percentage yield of benzoylated product obtained by thiamine assisted method was found to be comparable with traditional methods. Furthermore non-catalyst assisted benzoylation in neat water was also studied and the results coincide with traditional as well as thiamine-assisted method reported here with some limitations.