Modified SBA-1 materials for the Knoevenagel condensation under microwave irradiation

The preparation of modified SBA-1 materials with alkaline ions was carried out at incipient wetness. The incorporation of such alkaline ions rendered basic SBA-1 materials. The material Na-SBA-1, obtained after the incorporation of 3 wt% Na, exhibited a very similar structure and a 25% reduction in surface area compared to that of the parent SBA-1. The Na-SBA-1 was also found to be the most active material in the Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde and benzylacetone with ethyl cyanoacetate, both under conventional heating and microwave irradiation conditions. Nevertheless, the microwave assisted protocol was proved to enhance the reaction yields, reducing both the time of reaction and the energy consumption.