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“Click” Silica‐Supported Sulfonic Acid Catalysts with Variable Acid Strength and Surface Polarity
Author(s) -
Kasinathan Palraj,
Lang Charlotte,
Radhakrishnan Sambhu,
Schnee Josefine,
D'Haese Cécile,
Breynaert Eric,
Martens Johan A.,
Gaigneaux Eric M.,
Jonas Alain M.,
Fernandes Antony E.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201806186
Subject(s) - sulfonic acid , moiety , catalysis , chemistry , click chemistry , cycloaddition , triazole , copper , organic chemistry , combinatorial chemistry
Solid acid catalysts are central in our chemical industry and are major players in the valorization of bioresources. However, there is still a need to develop solid acid catalysts with enhanced acid strength and improved, or tunable, physicochemical profile to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of chemical processes. Here, a modular approach to tune the acid strength and surface polarity of silica‐supported sulfonic acid catalysts, based on a versatile copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC)‐based anchoring scheme, is presented. The CuAAC‐formed triazole link was used to enhance the activity of the grafted sulfonic acids and to pair the acid sites with secondary hydrophobic functions. The beneficial effects of both the triazolium link and the paired hydrophobic site, as well as the optimal positioning of the sulfonic moiety on the triazole ring, are discussed in model esterification reactions.