Silica-embedded tert-butyldimethylsilyltrifluoromethanesulfonate catalysts were synthesized by a sol-gel method in acidified CCl4, using hexadecyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide as a surfactant. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms at 77 K; TG-DTA; H-1, C-13, and Si-29 solid state MAS/NMR; XRD; XPS; Raman spectroscopy; and FTIR after adsorption of NH3. The characterization data indicated mesoporous solids in which most of the silyl-triflate derivative keeps its integrity. The catalytic tests performed with the methyl ester of 1-cyclopentenylacetic acid in various solvents showed that the reaction selectively leads to 3-methylbenzaldehyde and is sensitive to the solvent accepting ability. (C) 2001 Academic Press.
Parvulescu, A., Gagea, B., Alifanti, M., Parvulescu, V., Parvulescu, V., Nae, S., Razus, A., Poncelet, G., & Grange, P. (2001). Silica-embedded tert-butyldimethylsilyltrifluoromethanesulfonate catalysts as new solid acid catalysts. Journal of Catalysis, 202(2), 319-323. https://doi.org/10.1006/jcat.2001.3282 (Original work published 2001)