Multiphasic acetalization and alkylation on organically modified MSU-X silica

Mesoporous silicas were functionalized with phenyl groups and were used as solid acid catalysts in acetalization of aldehydes and ketones with ethylen e glycol or methanol. It was shown that cyclohexanone as well as aromatic a nd linear aldehydes could be converted to the corresponding dimethylacetals in high conversion and selectivity over the catalyst. They also performed well in the isopropylation reactions of naphthalene with isopropanol.