The products from aldol condensation reactions are widely applied in numerous fields including medicine and industry. These reactions are conventionally promoted using Brønsted acids and bases that necessitate subsequent purification steps and waste treatment and disposal. These problems can be circumvented using metal oxide nanoparticles as catalysts since they can be clean, readily recycled Lewis acids and bases that can also permit solvent free reactions. In this investigation the reaction of acetophenone with benzaldehyde to form trans-chalcone was explored using nanometric metal oxides. Nanocrystalline transition metal oxides showed very good catalytic activities toward aldol condensation and it was found that variation of the surface characteristics provides the ability to regulate their reactivity and selectivity in catalytic reactions. One important factor effect on the surface chemistry and morphology is the synthetic method. Single source metalorganic precursors based on oxalate versus pyruvic acid oxime ligands were used to produce oxides with varying surface chemistry. Pyruvic acid oxime complexes thermally produce hydroxylated and carbonated surfaces while oxalate complexes directly form oxide surfaces. Thus, their activity and selectivity in the aldol reaction vary due to differences in their acid/base behavior and surface areas.

Aldol condensation and intramolecular reactions catalyzed by green catalysts of nanometric metal oxides

ACS Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting

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