Conversion of cyclohexanol to dicyclohexyl ether catalyzed by cation-exchanged bentonite clays

Abstract Bentonite clays modified by exchanging Al 3+ , Co 2+ and its Na + form were used in etherification of cyclohexanol to dicyclohexyl ether. Product yields obtained for metal cation exchanged clays followed the order Al 3+ > Co 2+ > Na + . Bronsted acidity of the solid catalysts is suggested to play the key role in the studied reaction.