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DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-968481
NCNT-Catalyzed Knoevenagel Condensation
Contributor(s):Yasuhiro Uozumi, Yoichi M. A. YamadaUtrecht University, the Netherlands
Nitrogen-Containing Carbon Nanotubes as Solid Base Catalysts
Chem. Commun. 2006, 4859-4861
Publication History
Publication Date:
24 April 2007 (online)
Key words
carbon nanotubes - Knoevenagel condensation - NCNT - hollow tubes - base catalysis
Significance
Nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes (NCNT) were used as solid base catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation. The NCNT materials were prepared by chemical vapour deposition of C- and N-containing precursors (acetonitrile or pyridine) over a SiO2-supported Co or Ni catalyst (C. N. R. Rao and co-workers Chem. Phys. Lett. 2000, 322, 333-340; C. Tang et al. Carbon 2004, 42, 2625-2633). The Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde and ethylcyanoacetate was performed with NCNT in EtOH under reflux conditions to give ethyl-α-cyanocinnamate in 50% yield. The recovered catalyst was reused without loss of catalytic activity.
Comment
NCNT that was prepared from acetonitrile with SiO2-supported Co catalyst at 823 K had the highest catalytic activity. Non-functionalized carbon nanofibers did not show any catalytic acitivity. TEM observation indicated that uniform NCNT were observed with an average tube diameter of 25 nm.