A highly efficient thiazolylidene catalyzed acetoin formation: reaction, tolerance and catalyst recycling.

An efficient formation of acetoin from acetaldehyde was achieved under thiazolylidene catalysis. High yields and TON were achieved. Its sufficient tolerance toward ethanol and moisture renders it a practical key step of the ethanol upgrading process. A new type of solid supported thiazolylidene catalyst was designed to make catalyst recycling achievable.