On the selective acid-catalysed dehydration of 1,2,6-hexanetriol

Selectivity results for the dehydration of 1,2,6-hexanetriol over solid acid catalysts are reported. A slate of catalysts including zeolites, amorphous silica-alumina, and niobias were tested and the selectivity towards either cyclic ethers or α,ω-dioxygenates was found to be mildly correlated with the acid strength of the fresh catalyst. In general, a ring closing dehydration reaction to a pyran was the dominant reaction pathway. Differences in the catalysts were mitigated by significant coke formation.