Facile and Highly Selective Deprotection of Aryl Propionates/Acetates Using a Supported Lewis Acid Catalyst (20% InCl₃/MCM-41)

The selective deprotection of substituted aryl esters like acetates and propionates in the presence of different electron-donating and -withdrawing functional groups to the corresponding phenols in good yields was reported using the Lewis acid supported solid acid catalyst 20<b>%</b> InCl₃/MCM-41 prepared by the wet impregnation method. The textural and microscopic properties of the catalyst were studied, which revealed a high degree of dispersion of InCl₃ over MCM-41, promising quantification of Lewis acidity, and well-ordered honeycomb structure. The methodology was further explored for the selective deprotection of acetates and propionates in the presence of substituted amides that remain unaltered. Reusability studies revealed the robust nature of the catalyst without losing the catalytic activity for up to six recycles corroborated with hot leaching test studies monitored by ICP-AES analysis, which was further authenticated with XPS studies of the catalyst before and after the reaction.