High-temperature reaction of SiO2 with methanol: Nucleophilic assistance of some N-unsubstituted benzazoles.

Highlights: [•] Different forms of SiO2 react slowly with methanol at 350°C to give mainly TMOS. [•] Some N-unsubstituted benzazoles increase considerably the amount of reacted SiO2. [•] The key role of heterocycles is nucleophilic assistance to the reaction. [•] Azole ring of heterocycles is methylated by MeOH during the reaction. [•] Both SiO2-surface and TMOS catalyze the methylation of benzazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]