Enhanced activity of MCM-48 based tin catalyst for synthesis of 3-methylbut-3-en-1-ol by adjusting the mesochannel environment

•Sn-G-MCM-48 as a novel heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized and characterized.•Sn-G-MCM-48 efficiently catalyzed the Prins condensation of paraformaldehyde with isobutene and acetic acid.•Hydrophobic mesochannel environment and suitable acid texture of Sn-G-MCM-48 were charge for the excellent catalytic performance.•The catalyst was easily reused without any significant loss in catalytic activity.

In the present work, tin incorporated MCM-48 catalysts were prepared by different strategies and applied in the synthesis of MB-AC and MBOH. The performance of the catalysts is strongly affected by mesochannel environment and acid texture. The organic-graft method (Sn-G-MCM-48) can modify the mesochannel environment and enhance the acid intensity and concentration (0.28 mmol/gcat), resulting in the improvement of the catalytic activity to the target reactions. The total yield of MB-AC and MBOH is as much as 68.4% over Sn-G-MCM-48 under mild conditions.

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