Japanese scientists have found a highly efficient heterogeneous mesoporous (Al-MCM-41) catalyst that increases the cyanosilylation reaction of various aldehydes and ketones.

Hiroyuki Yasuda and co-workers from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba, have shown that Al-MCM-41 has a superior advantage over other mesoporous aluminosilicate systems (including zeolites), for the cyanosilylation of various carbonyl compounds. The mesoporous material can quickly produce a range of cyanohydrin derivatives from different aldehydes and ketones, under mild reaction conditions.

Cyanohydrin derivatives constitute versatile intermediates in organic synthesis, which can be transformed into a variety of important building blocks. 'Although several heterogeneous catalysts have been reported, which have the advantage in terms of catalyst separation and reusability, the catalytic activities are lower than homogeneous catalysts. Therefore, an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for cyanosilylation is desirable' said Yasuda.

Further studies are underway to elucidate the acceleration mechanism of Al-MCM-41 catalyst for this reaction, as well as the potential development of a chiral hetereogeneous catalyst.

'Al-MCM-41 is a remarkable active catalyst. This clearly exhibits the promising abilities of mesoporous aluminosilicates as an efficient catalyst in organic synthesis, especially for fine chemicals synthesis' said Yasuda.

Emma Shiells