Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction of cyclohexanone catalyzed by partially crystalline zirconosilicate

•Partially crystalline zirconosilicate is synthesized at 120 °C.•Partially crystalline zirconosilicate shows high activity in the MPV reduction.•Critical factors are Lewis acid amount, mesopore volume and surface hydrophobicity.•Surface hydrophobicity of samples determines their water tolerance ability.

Partially crystalline zirconosilicate was prepared at low crystallization temperature of 120 °C using amorphous zirconosilicate as solid sources of both zirconium and silicon. Partially crystalline zirconosilicate showed relatively high activity in the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) reduction of cyclohexanone with 2-propanol. Lewis acid amount, mesopore volume and surface hydrophobicity are the three critical factors for its catalytic activity. Furthermore, partially crystalline zirconosilicate exhibited certain water tolerance ability, most probably related to the surface hydrophobicity that originates from the zeolitic units.