Development of borated mesoporous zirconia nanocatalyst for the green synthesis of hydroquinone diacetate

The demand for highly active and reusable solid acid catalysts has led to the development of borated mesoporous zirconia nanoparticles, which exhibit excellent catalytic performance in the green synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates. This study focuses on the preparation, characterization, and catalytic application of borated mesoporous zirconia for the efficient production of 1,4-diacetoxybenzene, a valuable compounds in drug synthesis. The catalyst was synthesized using a sol-gel method, followed by boric acid functionalization to enhance surface acidity and surface area. Comprehensive characterization through XRD, FTIR, TEM, BET, and Thermal analysis confirmed the successful formation of a highly porous, thermally stable, and well-dispersed boron-modified zirconia structure. The catalytic efficiency was evaluated in the acetylation of hydroquinone under optimized conditions, where a maximum yield of 95.7% was achieved at 80 °C within 90 min using a catalyst loading of 25 wt%. Compared to traditional homogeneous acid catalysts, borated mesoporous zirconia exhibited superior stability and recyclability, as demonstrated by its ability to maintain 78% of its initial activity after three consecutive reaction cycles, with only a 18% decline in efficiency. The heterogeneous nature of the catalyst facilitated its easy recovery and reuse, reducing waste generation and operational costs. The results of this study highlight the potential of borated mesoporous zirconia as a sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally benign catalyst for organic synthesis, offering significant advantages in pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries.