Investigation of the cyanosilylation catalysed by metal-siliceous catalysts

Different amorphous mesoporous TUD-1 catalysts were employed in cyanosilylation of acetophenone with trimethylsilylcyanide in dichloromethane at room temperature. Catalysts were monometallic Al-TUD-1, Zr-TUD-1 and bimetallic Na–Al-TUD-1 and Al–Zr-TUD-1's with constant Si/metal ratio but different Al/Zr ratios. Al-TUD-1 proved to be the most active TUD-1 catalyst. Introduction of sodium or Lewis acidic Zr into Al-TUD-1 to achieve synergistic properties did not lead to increased activity. During the reaction we observed silylation of the catalysts as proven by FT-IR and cross-polarization MAS-NMR analysis. The best results were achieved using Al-MCM-41 catalysts due to their higher degree of order and well defined narrow pore size. However, this catalyst was silylated, too.BT/BiotechnologyApplied Science