Catalysis of the Diels–Alder reaction by solids

Catalysis of the Diels–Alder reaction between simple dienes and acrolein is catalysed by silica, carbon, magnesium perchlorate and the organic compound bis-resorcinolanthracene, all in the solid state. Quantification allows the catalysis to be identified as predominantly general acid for silica, pre-organisation of diene for carbon and bis-resorcinolanthracene, and Lewis acid for magnesium perchlorate. For the last, heterogeneous catalysis is far greater than homogeneous and an explanation for this is suggested.

Graphical abstractEnhancement of the rate of Diels–Alder reaction by solids such as silica, carbon, magnesium perchlorate and bis-resorcinolanthracene can be comparable to, and in the case magnesium perchlorate much greater than, that of homogeneous catalysts.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide