Amino-group functionalized FDU-12 material (FDU-12-NH 2 ) was utilized as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation to afford α, β-unsaturated compounds. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, which showed that FDU-12-NH 2 was successfully prepared using the post-synthesis-grafting method. Compared with the magnetic stirring method, the ultrasound-assisted method could improve the Knoevenagel reaction significantly in this work. In addition, the catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic activity in the mixed solvent of ethanol and water with volume ratio of 3 : 1 due to the solvent effect. Various substrates could convert to their desired products with high yields in short time; what's more, it could be used for four times without significant decrease of the activity. This work reveals that FDU-12-NH 2 is a promising heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of α, β-unsaturated compounds.

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Biomass-based chemicals as a renewable alternative to petroleum-based chemicals are of great significance. The conversion of biomass-based furfuryl alcohol to pentanediol, including 1,5-pentanediol and 1,2-pentanediol, is explored over a series...