In this study the new metal complex functionalized MCM-48 was synthesized and characterized by a number of techniques including TEM, XRD, TGA, IR, EDX, BET and ICP-AES. Zirconyl Schiff base complex of MCM-48 catalyzed the selective oxidation of a variety of sulfides to the corresponding sulfoxides in high yields. Also this modified MCM-48 could have potential application as catalyst for Knoevenagel condensation of various aldehydes with malononitrile and ethyl cyanoacetate. The catalyst could readily be separated from the reaction mixture and reused for several runs without significant loss in catalytic efficiency.
