LAUSR

Abstract Zeolite Y was dealuminated by chemical methods (with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) to modify the zeolite structure for 12-molybdophosphoric acid (MPA) loading. MPA was encapsulated in the nanocavities of modified dealuminated zeolite Y (MDAZY) and characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The new catalyst was applied for an efficient chemoselective synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran derivatives, and the corresponding products were obtained in good to excellent yields in very short reaction times. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of this new catalyst in the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans was compared with MPA encapsulated in zeolite Y dealuminated by the hydrothermal method. The catalyst (MPA–MDAZY) was recovered and reused several times without loss of its catalytic activity.