A novel acid–base bifunctional catalyst (ZSM-5@Mg3Si4O9(OH)4) with core/shell hierarchical structure and superior activities in tandem reactions.

A hierarchically core/shell structured base–acid bifunctional catalyst, ZSM-5@Mg3Si4O9(OH)4, was successfully prepared through a simple hydrothermal reaction between the silica species on the ZSM-5 crystal surface and the Mg2+ source in basic solution. The obtained catalyst showed superior activity and stability in one-pot deacetalization-Knoevenagel condensation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]