Solvent-Free Aldol Condensation of Cyclopentanone with Natural Clay-Based Catalysts: Origin of Activity & Selectivity

The conversion of biomass resources into high-value fuels and chemicals using thermochemical methods has become an attractive method energy utilization. In this study, natural minerals were used as raw materials; the acidic sites introduced by ball-milling modification, aldol condensation reaction biomass-based cyclopentanone molecule was carried out under solvent-free conditions. It found that SO3H-APG catalyst—with strong medium-based when -SO3H loading 4 mmol/g—exhibited excellent acid–base co-activation effects a significant catalytic effect in reaction. optimization conditions showed reached 85.53% at temperature 150 °C time h. selectivity dimer trimer 69.04% 28.41%, respectively. investigation mechanism kinetic analysis presence bifunctional catalyst important to facilitate This research route is line with concept sustainable green production also provides promising pathway for design synthesis long-chain hydrocarbons.