A New Mixed-Metal Phosphate as an Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for Knoevenagel Condensation Reaction

Abstract

The escalating demand for the cost-effective synthesis of valuable fine chemicals has fueled the search for sustainable heterogeneous catalysts. Among these catalytic reactions, Knoevenagel condensation has emerged as a very demanding reaction due to its involvement in the synthesis of new C–C bond formation. Porous metal phosphates have attracted significant attention in catalysis due to their unique surface properties. In this study, we report the synthesis of a novel porous magnesium aluminum phosphate (MALPO) material through a hydrothermal template-free approach. MALPO exhibited very promising specific surface area and hierarchical porosity. Moreover, the plate-like morphology of the material can enhance the exposure of the catalytic sites located at the surfaces, leading to enhanced catalytic activity. MALPO demonstrated excellent catalytic performance, yielding a series of Knoevenagel products with up to 99% yield. Notably, the catalyst displayed remarkable recyclability, retaining its structural integrity throughout multiple reaction cycles. The findings highlight the potential of porous mixed-metal phosphates, exemplified by MALPO, as sustainable and efficient base catalyst for the synthesis of value-added chemicals, contributing to the growing demand of the chemical industry. Further investigations are warranted to explore their catalytic potential in diverse chemical transformations and optimize their performance for large-scale operations.