Core-Shell Faujasite@Aqueous Miscible Organic-Layered Double Hydroxides Composites with Tunable Acid/Base Properties for One-Pot Synthesis of Ethyl trans-α-Cyanocinnamate

Bifunctional acid-base catalysts have been developed by fabricating core-shell faujasite@aqueous miscible organic-layered double hydroxides (FAU@AMO-LDHs) composites via the growth of AMO-LDHs on zeolite surfaces. Interestingly, by adjusting the acid/base properties of the composites, the one-pot synthesis of ethyl trans-alpha-cyanocinnamate via deacetalization-Knoevenagel reaction can be achieved up to 90% yield. In contrast, almost no desired products can be observed in cases of isolated zeolites and AMO-LDHs, demonstrating the synergistic effect of zeolites and AMO-LDHs as acid-base catalysts. These findings open up new perspectives of the development of tunable acid-base zeolite@LDHs composites in an acid-base tandem reaction, which can selectively produce ethyl trans-alpha-cyanocinnamate up to 90% yield.