The ionic liquid functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 materials were prepared under a hydrothermal condition, followed by treatment with palladium chloride in acetone and then the reduction with N₂H₄•H₂O in ethanol. The catalytic properties of the materials were tested for the Mizoroki-Heck reaction. Compared with Pd material supported on the naked SBA-15, the Pd catalyst supported on the surface modified SBA-15 exhibits very high activity, recoverability and stability for the Mizoroki-Heck reaction. N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms and the low-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate that the parent ordered mesoporous structure was well-maintained during the synthesis process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was also used to investigate the morphology of the composite. High efficiency of the catalyst was proved in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction and the catalyst could be recycled five times without any loss of its catalytic activity.

Key words: Mizoroki-Heck reaction, catalyst recycling, SBA-15, palladium, aryl halide