Synthesis of novel mesoporous solid bases

Mesoporous solid bases can catalyze diverse reactions with a low cost and reduce the production of pollutants. They are promising to take the place of liquid bases and are significant for the development of environmentally benign catalytic processes. The rapid development of mesoporous materials provides an opportunity for the research and preparation of mesoporous solid bases. Up to now, a series of mesoporous solid bases have been successfully synthesized by various methods. In the present paper, the approaches for generating basic sites on different mesoporous hosts, i.e. silica, alumina, zirconia, and carbon, are reviewed. The structures, properties, and catalytic performances of resulting basic materials are described. On the basis of these results, the different synthesis methods are evaluated and the mechanisms of basicity generation are clarified. Finally, the development tendency of mesoporous solid bases is proposed.