Synthesis of bifunctional catalysts Al-SBA-15-NH2 with high aluminum content and the catalytic application for different one-pot reactions

Acid–base bifunctional mesoporous catalysts Al-SBA-15-NH2 containing high content of Al and organic amine functional groups have been synthesized through the “pH-adjusting” method. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron micrographs (SEM), transmission electron micrographs (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), IR spectra of pyridine adsorption, NH3-TPD and elemental analysis. Catalytic results showed that 6-Al-SBA-15-NH2 (Si/Al = 6 mol%) was more active than 10-Al-SBA-15-NH2 (Si/Al = 10 mol%) in one-pot deacetalization–Knoevenagel and deacetalization–nitroaldol (Henry) reactions.