Modification of mesoporous silicate SBA-15 with tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido]samarium and its utility in Tishchenko reaction

Treatment of mesoporous silicate SBA-15 with Sm[N(SiMe3)2]3 led to the formation of a novel organolanthanide/inorganic hybrid material [SBA-15]Sm[N(SiMe3)2]x via abstraction of N(SiMe3)2 by terminal silanol groups and subsequent surface silylation. The hybrid material was characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen sorption, indicating a successful tailoring inside the silicate SBA-15 and the maintenance of the well-ordered mesostructure. This hybrid material is a promising heterogeneous catalyst for the Tishchenko reaction, where it is superior to the homogeneous correspondent in deactivation behavior, reusability and relative tolerance to oxygen, particularly in the control of selectivity of mixed Tishchenko reaction due to the steric hindrance and the diffusion control derived from the surface confinement.