Azide-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica SBA-15 for Sustainable Catalysis and Biological Applications
Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
Chemistryselect
Publication Date
6-25-2025
Abstract
In the present study, azide (─N3) function was supported on SBA-15 through covalent post-functionalization via a substitution reaction after a chlorination step. Combined XRD and TEM analyses confirm the preservation of SBA-15′s hexagonal structure after functionalization. The successful incorporation of N₃ groups was verified by FTIR (2094 cm⁻¹) and XPS (N1s at 398–400 eV), while TEM/SEM imaging demonstrated maintained porosity. As a heterogeneous catalyst, SBA-15@N3 demonstrated high catalytic activity for Knoevenagel condensation without requiring the use of a solvent. It offers several advantages, such as light reaction conditions and a simple and environmentally friendly working mode. Knoevenagel products are obtained with high purity without additional purification, with high yields (61%–98%). Moreover, the SBA-15@N3 catalyst successfully mediated multicomponent chromene synthesis while demonstrating excellent recyclability without activity loss. Tested as an antimicrobial agent, our material shows promising results with inhibition zones of 12 mm (Bacillus sp.), 15 mm (S. aureus), 17 mm (C. albicans), and 50 mm (Ascochyta pisi). These results reveal notable antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, as well as strong antifungal potential, particularly marked against Ascochyta pisi. To summarize, the results of this work clearly indicate that the SBA-15@N3 catalyst is economical, environmentally friendly and promising for green chemical reactions, with many potential applications in chemistry and biology.
DOI Link
ISSN
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
10
Issue
24
Disciplines
Life Sciences
Keywords
Antibacterial, Antifungal, Azide, Chromenes, Heterogeneous catalyst, Knoevenagel condensation, SBA-15
Scopus ID
Recommended Citation
Dahoui Kralfa, Asma; Gharbi, Samia; Benmaati, Aouicha; Boukoussa, Bouhadjar; Issam, Ismail; Iqbal, Jibran; Patole, Shashikant P.; Constantieux, Thierry; and Habib Zahmani, Hadjira, "Azide-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica SBA-15 for Sustainable Catalysis and Biological Applications" (2025). All Works. 7372.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/7372
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
yes
Open Access Type
Bronze: This publication is openly available on the publisher’s website but without an open license