Simple metal salts supported on montmorillonite as recyclable catalysts for intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of double bonds in conventional and VOC-exempt solvents

We describe herein an efficient and particularly sustainable catalytic system for the intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of double bonds. A heterogeneous catalyst based on the impregnation of benign metals such as iron and bismuth on montmorillonite was used for a highly atom-economic transformation in DMC, a non-VOC solvent. The transformation allowed the formation of a large range of cyclic ethers from the corresponding unsaturated alcohols and the catalyst could be recycled several times.