MCM-41 as a highly active catalyst for Diels-Alder reaction of anthracene with p-benzoquinone

The Diels-Alder reaction of anthracene with p-benzoquinone on three types o f aluminosilicate MCM-41 (Al-MCM-41) was studied. It is found that the cata lytic activity of every Al-MCM-41 is very high. This activity is almost the same as that of AlCl3 and higher than that of HY zeolite, silica-alumina, and a cation exchange resin. We also found that the main active sites on Al -MCM-41 are Lewis acid sites. The selectivity of Al-MCM-41 to the single-ad duct is much higher than that of AlCl3 because Al-MCM-41 has much less cata lytic activity for the consecutive reaction of the single-adduct to form th e double-adduct, compared with AlCl3. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.