A novel zwitterionic catalyst containing imidazole, carboxyl and amino functional groups was synthesized to catalyze the retro-aldol condensation of fructose. The catalyst displayed efficiently catalytic activity for the conversion of fructose to 1,3-dihydroxyacetone (DHA). The yield of DHA and selectivity of DHA achieved 27.9% and 46.5% after reaction 2 h, respectively, at pH 9.5, 85 °C. A possible catalytic mechanism was suggested. The charged functional groups on the catalyst exhibited synergistic effect and played role in electron induction and proton transfer, which leaded to a good selectivity of DHA in the conversion of fructose under mild conditions.

合成了一种新型的含咪唑，羧基和氨基官能团的两性离子催化剂，用于催化果糖的逆醛醇缩合反应。该催化剂显示出有效的催化活性，可将果糖转化为1,3-二羟基丙酮（DHA）。在pH 9.5、85°C下反应2小时后，DHA的收率和DHA的选择性分别达到27.9％和46.5％。建议一种可能的催化机制。催化剂上带电的官能团表现出协同作用，并在电子感应和质子转移中发挥作用，在温和条件下果糖转化中DHA具有良好的选择性。