Efficient bifunctional nanocatalysts by simple postgrafting of spatially isolated catalytic groups on mesoporous materials

(Chemical Equation Presented) Hard graft pays off for Henry: An efficient acid-base bifunctional mesoporous catalyst was prepared by one-step post-synthesis grafting of aminoorganoalkoxysilane groups on mesoporous silica (see picture). The catalyst led to yields of over 99 % in the Henry reaction (nitroaldol condensation) of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and nitromethane to form nitrostyrene.