A three-dimensional, mesoporous, silicate containing zirconium, Zr-TUD-1, was synthesized by a direct hydrothermal treatment method with triethanolamine as a complexing and templating reagent to ensure that zirconium was incorporated as isolated atoms. The mesoporosity of Zr-TUD-1 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N(2) sorption and high-resolution transmission electron micrograph (HR-TEM) studies. The nature and strength of the Lewis acid sites present in Zr-TUD-1 were evaluated by FTIR studies of pyridine adsorption and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia. FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) and UV/Vis spectroscopic studies showed that, at Si/Zr ratios of 25 and higher, all the zirconium was tetrahedrally incorporated into the mesoporous framework, while at low Si/Zr ratios, a small part of the zirconium was present as ZrO(2) nanoparticles. Zr-TUD-1 is a Lewis acidic, stable and recyclable catalyst for the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reaction and for the Prins reaction.
Mesoporous TUD-1 and M-TUD-1 are straightforward to prepare via an environmentally benign synthesis. The resulting materials are excellent catalysts for oxidations, C–C bond forming reactions and photocatalysis. Furthermore the materials have shown potential for the slow release of drugs and as contrast agents.
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