Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Catalysts Based on Ordered Porous Structures for Carbon–Carbon Bond Forming Reactions

Two types of organic–inorganic hybrid base catalysts are prepared. Organic-functionalized molecular sieves (OFMSs); in particular, “amine-immobilized porous silicates” are designed based on common idea to immobilize catalytic active sites on silicate surface. Silicate–organic composite materials (SOCMs), such as “ordered porous silicate–quaternary ammonium composite materials”, are the precursors of ordered porous silicates obtained during the synthesis. Both the OFMS and the SOCM are used as the catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation and Michael addition reactions. Among the OFMSs, there is clear tendency that the use of molecular sieve with larger pore volume and/or surface area gives the product in higher yield. Aminopropylsilyl (AP)-tethered mesoporous silicate such as AP-MCM-41 gives the Knoevenagel condensation product in high yield under mild conditions. No loss of activity is observed after repeated use for three times. The SOCMs are also active for the same reaction. The OFMSs are effective when the supports have large pore volume and/or surface area and the reaction is carried out in polar solvents ethanol and DMF. However, the activity of the OFMSs is considerably low in a non-polar solvent such as benzene. In contrast, the SOCMs are remarkably active in benzene. The organic cation–MCM-41 composite is more active than the composite of an organic cation and a microporous silicate such as zeolite beta and ZSM-12. In the SOCM catalysts, (SiO)₃SiO⁻(⁺NR₄) moieties located at the accessible sites are considered to play some important roles. The active species are absent in the liquid phase after the reaction. The recycle of the catalyst was possible without significant loss of activity when the substrates are enough reactive. The mechanism of the reaction over SOCM catalyst is discussed.