Liquid phase aldol condensation reactions with MgO-ZrO2 and shape-selective nitrogen-substituted NaY

▶ Nitrogen-substituted NaY shows much increased base strength compared to NaY. ▶ Nit-NaY is highly active for liquid phase aldol condensation reactions of furfural/HMF with acetone/propanal, comparable to a strong solid base MgO-ZrO2. ▶ Nit-NaY shows shape selectivity towards aldol monomer product due to the FAU-typed crystal structure. ▶ Nit-NaY is unstable due to the leaching of framework nitrogen under current operation conditions, while MgO-ZrO2 shows good recyclability.