Catalytic activity of SBA-15-grafted indium tri-isopropoxide in chemoselective MPV reductions

Abstract

Indium tri-isopropoxide-containing heterogeneous In(O i Pr)3–SBA-15 catalyst were synthesized by grafting method and were then used as catalyst in the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) reduction of various carbonyl compounds using 2-propanol as the hydrogen transfer agent. The prepared new heterogeneous catalyst, In(O i Pr)3–SBA-15, was characterized in details by using XRD, 29Si NMR,13C NMR, TEM, N2 adsorption and ICP-OES. New heterogeneous catalyst has been studied in the chemoselective MPV reduction of unsaturated aldehydes and ketones. Good activity and selectivity to the reduced unsaturated alcohols, citronellol, cinnamalcohol, α-ionol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, geraniol, nerol were observed over indium tri-isopropoxide supported on silica. The In(O i Pr)3–SBA-15 catalyst is recyclable up to six cycles without any significant loss in its catalytic activity. Eventually, In(O i Pr)3–SBA-15 has been found that active catalyst in the MPV reactions of carbonyl compounds including unsaturated aldehydes and ketones with excellent conversion, selectivity and reusability.