Sulfuric acid ([3-(3-silicapropyl)-sulfanyl]propyl)ester as recyclable catalyst for the silylation of hydroxyl groups

Sulfuric acid ([3-(3-silicapropyl)sulfanyl]propyl]ester (SASPSPE) is employed as a recyclable catalyst for the silylation of hydroxyl groups. A good range of primary, secondary alcohols and phenolic hydroxyl groups were effectively converted into their corresponding trimethylsilyl ethers with hexamethyldisilazane in the presence of catalytic amounts of SASPSPE at room temperature with short reaction times in good to excellent yields. This heterogeneous catalyst was recycled for nine runs without losing its catalytic activity.