[GinaTageldin]

hello guys
i wandered if i could use silica gel F254 powder instead of silicon dioxide in a reaction with phosphorous pentoxide in which both act as a catalysts
thanks all

[TheUnassuming]

In theory it could work, though I don't know if the additives in the F254 gel will alter the reactivity.

Try it on a small scale and see if it works!

[GinaTageldin]

thank u sir , i did the reaction but it didnot work i don't know what is the problem from rx conditions or from my starting material reactivity

[orgopete]

Well, we know phosphorous pentoxide is a dehydrating agent. The silica commonly used for chromatography contains about 10-15% water by weight (as I recall). I would think that if one wanted to perform some kind of dehydration reaction, one would first drive the water from the silica before mixing with the P2O5. I doubt the fluorescing agent or binder in the F254 gel had a negative effect.

[GinaTageldin]

yeah sir, they reported in their paper that the silica left at 120 degree Celsius for 24 hr before mixing it with P2O5 , and i agree with you in the binder and fluoresce agents affect the reaction