Environmentally Friendly ILSO3 H-SnCl5@Ti-MCM-4-Mediated Hydroxyalkylation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Paraformaldehyde to Diarylmethanes

A series of mesoporous silica supported ILs were prepared, characterized and their catalytic performances in hydroxyalkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons with paraformaldehyde were investigated. The influences of reaction parameters were studied. Research shows that ILSO3H-SnCl5@Ti-MCM-41 could be used as the highest efficient catalyst in hydroxyalkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons with paraformaldehyde to gives the corresponding diarylmethanes. Good to excellent yields were achieved for this reaction under mild conditions. The heterogeneous supported catalyst is easily recoverable by filtration, and could be used for six consecutive runs without significant loss in catalytic activity.