Further Investigations on the Promoting Effect of Mesoporous Silica on Base-Catalyzed Aldol Reaction

摘要

Addition of an ordered mesoporous silica to a mixture of an aldol reaction, comprising 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with acetone catalyzed by organic amines, caused significant increase in the reaction rate to afford the β-hydroxyketone in high yield. A cooperative effect between the surface silanol and amine was considered to be the likely reason for the rate-enhancement, which was supported by FTIR spectroscopy.