Mesoporous materials: versatile supports in heterogeneous catalysis for liquid phase catalytic transformations

Abstract

Due to their unprecedented intrinsic structural features, like tunable pore diameter of nanoscale dimensions, huge BET surface areas and good flexibility to recognize/accommodate various functional groups and metals onto the surface, an inevitable linkage of nanoporous materials with catalysis has been built-up over the past few decades. As a result of which, a huge number of communications and articles dealing with these materials with nanoscale porosity have come to light. In this review, our objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of mesoporous solids, the most remarkable member of the nanoporous family of materials, the general strategy for their syntheses and application of functionalized porous materials in liquid phase catalytic reactions. In the latter part, the role of catalytic centres in various organic transformations over these functionalized mesoporous materials and their economical, environmental and industrial aspects are described in detail.