One-pot synthesis of (S)-2-(6-methoxynaphtalen-2-yl)propanoic acid, (S)-Naproxen using Preyssler and Keggin-type heteropolyacids as green and reusable catalysts

A simple, clean and environmentally benign route to the enantioselective synthesis of (S)-2-(6-methoxynaphtalen-2-yl)propanoic acid, (S)-Naproxen 3 is described by using Preyssler heteropolyacid, H₁₄[NaP₅W₃₀O₁₁₀], as a green and reusable catalyst in water and in the presence of 1-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)propan-1-one 1, D-mannitol 2. The products were obtained in very good yields.