We report the synthesis, characterization and activity of new series of catalysts based on Niobium Mesoporous Cellular Foams (NbMCF), modified with alkaline metal elements. These materials exhibit very different acid-base properties attributed to the Nb source for the preparation of the catalysts and the presence and loading of different alkaline metals.The Me/NbMCF materials (where Me are alkaline metals) were tested in the reaction of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and ethyl cyanoacetate, under solvent-free conditions, at room temperature, leading to mixtures of the corresponding chromenes 4 and 5, as mixtures of diastereomers erythro/threo, in a 2:1 ratio, respectively, with good to excellent yields.Our experimental results indicate that the metal loading on the catalysts and the acid-base character, and the texture parameters are probably determining factors in the reactivity and the observed diastereoselectivity.The computational study suggests that the presence of alkaline oxides on Me/NbMCF catalyst, exhibiting strong basicity, activates the formation of the nucleophile species, the corresponding enolate, and initiates the reaction. However, the cation size has a deep impact on the stability of the reactant complex so that the effective aldolization could be obstructed by the presence of the bulkier centers.
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