Ionic liquid-based ordered mesoporous organosilica-supported copper as a novel and efficient nanocatalyst for the one-pot synthesis of Biginelli products

The preparation, characterization and catalytic application of a novel copper-loaded ionic liquid-based periodic mesoporous organosilica (Cu@PMO-IL) are described. The mesoporous structure of the Cu@PMO-IL material is characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption desorption analysis. The thermal stability of the material is also determined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The presence of copper species in the material framework is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and elemental analysis (EA). The catalytic application of Cu@PMO-IL nanocatalyst is then investigated in the Biginelli condensation of different aldehydes with urea and alkylacetoacetates under solvent-free conditions and at moderate temperature. Moreover, the stability, reactivity and reusability of the catalyst are improved under applied reaction conditions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.