Sulfonic Acid–Functionalized Silica (SiO2-Pr-SO3H) as a Solid and a Heterogeneous Catalyst in Green Organic Synthesis: Recent Advances

Abstract

The application of sulfonic acid–functionalized silica (SBA-Pr-SO3H) as a catalyst in organic synthesis has become an efficient and green strategy for the selective construction of organic motifs. Therefore, the great efforts have been made by scientists to replace the conventional acid catalysts by sulfonic acid–functionalized silica used as solid, heterogeneous catalyst in various organic transformations. The sustainable advantage of sulfonic acid–functionalized silica is that it can be recovered and reused several times without loss of its efficiency. In this tutorial review, we attempt to give an overview about the use of sulfonic acid–functionalized silica as a catalyst in the synthesis of various organic compounds having industrial as well as pharmaceutical applications.