Nitrogen-containing porous cerium trimetaphosphimate as a new efficient base catalyst

A new layer nitrogen-containing porous cerium trimetaphosphimate with pendant NH groups projecting into the channels has been synthesized and characterized. Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde and ethyl cyanoacetate is carried out with this complex as support in ethanol at 333 K. Experimental results indicate that it is an efficient base catalyst. The NH groups are incorporated into the host framework and provide the base sites for catalysis. This stable solid base catalyst can be reused without obvious loss of its activity for three cycles.