B-TUD-1: a versatile mesoporous catalyst

Abstract

Novel amorphous mesoporous borosilicate, B-TUD-1, was prepared to test its performance for different sustainable reactions. The structure of the material, the effective incorporation of boron into the framework as well as the nature of incorporated boron were verified by N₂-sorption, XRD, ICP-OES, TEM, NH₃-desorption, MAS NMR and FTIR. The potential of these materials as catalysts was tested in two reactions under different conditions. They showed an apparently good activity and recycling potential for HMF (5-hydroxymethyl-furfural) synthesis. However leaching of boron occurred during this aqueous reaction. We could demonstrate that the leached boron was actually the catalyst of the reaction. In a second reaction, this time in organic solvent, the B-TUD-1 materials were tested for the Prins cyclisation of citronellal. A very promising activity was obtained. The catalyst could be recycled and no boron leached, as demonstrated by hot filtration experiments.