An efficient, eco-friendly process for aldol and Michael reactions of trimethylsilyl enolate over organic base-functionalized SBA-15 catalysts

Abstract

1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD, a bicyclic guanidine base) functionalized SBA-15 was found to be an efficient catalyst for aldol reaction of trimethylsilyl enolate with aldehydes. Both aryl aldehydes and alkyl aldehydes provided aldol products in good yields. The applicability of this catalyst was extended to Michael reaction and in the synthesis of quaternary carbon. This novel heterogeneous catalyst offers several attractive advantages over soluble base catalysts such as high catalyst activity under mild reaction condition, easy recovery and reusability of the catalyst.