Aldol Reaction - Heterogeneous

ISABEL DI COSIMO

Encyclopedia of Catalysis 2nd Edition

John Wiley and Sons

Año: 2010; p. 1 - 15

This chapter deals with the heterogeneously catalyzed aldol condensation reactions.  The convenience of heterogeneous operation compared to the traditional homogeneous processes is first discussed from the environmental point of view.  The effect of the operating conditions such as liquid or gas phase reactions; use of metallic, acidic or basic catalysts and high or low temperatures on the reaction selectivity is also presented.  The base-catalyzed aldol condensation mechanism is thorough discussed.  Several examples of carbonyl and carbonyl-derived compounds synthesized by aldol-like reactions such as Knoevenagel, Claisen-Schmidt and Michael condensations on basic catalysts are given as well as the catalytic systems useful in the synthesis of solvents, pharmaceuticals and other fine chemicals.  Finally, the less known acid-catalyzed pathway is presented and examples of acidic catalysts are reported.