An efficient and green procedure for the preparation of acylals from aldehydes catalyzed by Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ·xH 2 O

The utilization of Fe2(SO4)3·xH2O as a heterogeneous catalyst, at ambient temperature, under solvent-free conditions is described for the efficient preparation of gem-dicarboxylates (acylals). The preparation procedure presented is operationally simple, environmentally benign and has the advantage of enhanced atom utilization. Furthermore, the catalyst can be recovered simply and reused efficiently without any activation.