Amino-modified periodic mesoporous biphenylene-silica

•Amine functions were covalently bounded to biphenylene moieties of periodic mesoporous biphenylene-silica.•A nitrogen density of 3.17 mmol g−1 was achieved.•The Bph-PMO is highly active and selective in the Knöevenagel condensation.

The amination reaction of biphenylene moieties in crystal-like mesoporous silica (Bph-PMO) is successfully achieved with a density of 3.17 mmol g−1. The amination occurs approximately in every aromatic ring of the biphenylene bridge in the position 2 and 2′, leading to above 50% of the biphenylene group di-aminated. The structural integrity of the synthetized material is preserved during the strong acid treatment to achieve the amine funcionalization of Bph-PMO. The aminated mesoporous organosilica is highly active (initial turnover frequency 2193 h−1 or 37 min−1) and almost 100% selective in the Knöevenagel condensation. Moreover, the amine-modified periodic mesoporous biphenylene-silica is effective for direct metal coordination.

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