Continuous Flow Ni- or Ru-Zeolite-Catalyzed Intramolecular Dehydration of Diols and Seco-Acids for Macrocyclic Ethers and Lactones

Herein, we report the efficient intramolecular dehydrative coupling of symmetrical and unsymmetrical diols for the synthesis of macrocyclic crown ethers in the presence of Ni-zeolite as a catalyst under continuous flow module. This method is also efficient for the intramolecular dehydrative macrolactonization of seco-acids using Ni-zeolite or Ru-zeolite. This flow catalysis is demonstrated by a wide substrate scope with one-time packed Ni-zeolite to produce 20 macrocyclic polyethers and 11 examples of broad macrolactones with water as a byproduct.