POTASSIUM EXCHANGED LAYERED ZIRCONIUM-PHOSPHATE AS BASE CATALYST IN THE SYNTHESIS OF 2-NITROALKANOLS

The synthesis of 2-nitroalkanols from nitroalkanes and aldehydes occur s efficiently, in mild conditions without solvent, when mediated by la yered Zr(KOPO3)(2). The reaction has been tested in the preparation of ten different nitroalkanols and the data obtained seem to indicate th at not only the surface but also the interlayer =P-O-K+ groups are inv olved in the catalytic process.