Tri-lacunary polyoxometalates of Na8H[PW9O34] as heterogeneous Lewis base catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation, cyanosilylation and the synthesis of benzoxazole derivatives

We reported for the first time the development of tri-lacunary polyoxometalates (POMs) of Na8H[A-PW9O34]·7H2O and Na8H[B-PW9O34]·19H2O (Na-A-PW9 and Na-B-PW9) as highly selective and efficient heterogeneous Lewis base catalysts for Knoevenagel condensation, cyanosilylation of various aldehydes and ketones and the synthesis of benzoxazole derivatives at 25 °C under mild conditions. Since both Na-A-PW9 and Na-B-PW9 display no characteristic porosity, it is proposed that the catalytic reactions proceed not only on the surface and interface, but also in the bulk phase. The catalysts can be easily recovered and reused for at least six times without obvious decrease of catalytic activities and the structures of the catalysts remain unchanged after recycling. The easy preparation, high efficiency, reusability of the heterogeneous catalysts of Na-A-PW9 and Na-B-PW9 exhibit great potential for further application.