Heterogeneous Catalysis with Cross-Linked Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Assemblies: Organic Analogues to Zeolites and Mesoporous Sieves.

Organic, nanoporous heterogeneous catalysts based on a carboxylate-containing, amphiphilic mesogen catalyze the Knoevenagel condensation (see schematic representation). These networks maintain their order in solution and can be recycled. Enhanced basicity, excellent site accessibility, and substrate size exclusion are features of these nanostructured systems.