Triflamide anchored SBA-15 catalyst for nitration of alkyl aromatics in microwave

A series of triflarnide anchored SBA-15 (SBA-NH-TA) catalysts with 5-20 wt% triflic acid (TA) loadings have been synthesized through the functionalization of propylamine on the surface of SBA-15 (SBA-NH2), followed by covalent attachment of triflic acid with -NH2 group of SBA-NH2. With SBA-NH-TA as catalyst and 69% HNO3 as nitrating agent, highly accelerated and safe nitration of aromatic compounds in microwave under solvent-free conditions has been achieved. The structural and textural characteristics of SBA-NH-TA catalysts have been determined from N-2 sorption and low-angle XRD techniques. As the loading of TA increases, the conversion of alkylaromatics to their nitrated products increases significantly. Reaction parameters like amount of catalyst, amount of triflic acid loading, substrate to nitric acid ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time have been investigated.