Selective conversion of nitroalcohols to nitroolefins over sulfonic acid functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 material

Highly ordered 2D-hexagonal mesoporous SBA-15 has been synthesized by using triblock copolymer as template and its surface has been functionalized by 3-propylsulfonic acid group via post-synthetic grafting with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxy silane. A variety of α,β-substituted nitroalcohols are converted to their corresponding nitroolefins under mild reaction conditions using this 3-propylsulfonic acid-functionalized SBA-15 material. Nitroalcohols with open-chain, cyclic, and heterocyclic substituents at the α-position are smoothly converted into their corresponding nitroolefins in high yields over this solid acid catalyst. Propylsulfonic acid functionalized SBA-15 materials are found to be more efficient catalysts than microporous zeolites under similar reaction conditions.

Graphical abstractA variety of α,β-substituted nitroalcohols were converted to their corresponding nitroolefins under mild reaction conditions over propylsulfonic acid-functionalized SBA-15 material. Different substituting groups at the α-position underwent the reactions with ease and high yields.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (151 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Selective dehydration of α,β-substituted nitroalcohols. ► Synthesis of nitroolefins over heterogeneous solid acid catalyst. ► Propylsulfonic acid functionalized ordered mesoporous SBA-15. ► Organocatalysis under heterogeneous conditions.