Preparation of bifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles by orthogonal click reactions and their application in cooperative catalysis.

The synthesis of bifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles is described. Two chemically orthogonal functionalities are incorporated into mesoporous silica by co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane with two orthogonally functionalized triethoxyalkylsilanes. Post-functionalization is achieved by orthogonal surface chemistry. A thiol-ene reaction, Cu-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar alkyne/azide cycloaddition, and a radical nitroxide exchange reaction are used as orthogonal processes to install two functionalities at the surface that differ in reactivity. Preparation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles bearing acidic and basic sites by this approach is discussed. Particles are analyzed by solid state NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, infrared-spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. As a first application, these particles are successfully used as cooperative catalysts in the Henry reaction.

Bifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles as cooperative catalysts for the Tsuji-Trost reaction--tuning the reactivity of silica nanoparticles.

Bifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) bearing Pd-complexes and additional basic sites were prepared and tested as cooperative active catalysts in the Tsuji-Trost allylation of ethyl acetoacetate. Functionalization of the MSNs was realized by postmodification using click-chemistry. The selectivity of mono versus double allylation was achieved by control of reaction temperature and the nature of the catalyst.