Base and acid catalysis by the alkali-containing MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieve

Abstract

Sodium and caesium cation-exchanged mesoporous MCM-41 are shown to be mild, selective, water-stable and recyclable catalysts for the base-catalysed Knoevenagel condensation and acid-catalysed acetalization and aldol condensation, whereas caesium acetate-impregnated MCM-41 shows strong base activity in the Michael addition.