Magnesium-lanthanum mixed metal oxide: A strong solid base for the Michael addition reaction

Michael additions were achieved quantitatively at room temperature with a broad spectrum of acceptors and donors, using a magnesium-lanthanum mixed oxide, a strong solid base. The best solvent for the reaction is dimethylformamide, but good yields were also obtained using toluene as solvent. The results obtained with magnesium-lanthanum are comparable to those reported for super bases. The catalyst can be separated from the reaction mixture and recycled five times without loss of activity with no other treatment.