Efficient Bifunctional Nanocatalysts by Simple Postgrafting of Spatially Isolated Catalytic Groups on Mesoporous Materials

Hard graft pays off for Henry: An efficient acid–base bifunctional mesoporous catalyst was prepared by one-step post-synthesis grafting of aminoorganoalkoxysilane groups on mesoporous silica (see picture). The catalyst led to yields of over 99 % in the Henry reaction (nitroaldol condensation) of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and nitromethane to form nitrostyrene.