Zn/Al/Ce mixed oxides derived from hydrotalcite-like precursors were employed as effective and recoverable heterogeneous catalyst for MPC synthesis via DMC aminolysis.

Dimethyl carbonate aminolysis is an effective and green pathway for the synthesis of methyl N -phenyl carbamate (MPC), which is an important intermediate for the synthesis of polyurethanes and many other chemicals. In this work, we demonstrate the fabrication of Zn/Al/Pb mixed oxides as efficient and stable heterogeneous catalysts for MPC synthesis. The catalysts are prepared via facile coprecipitation and subsequent thermal annealing. Their micromorphology and physical–chemical properties are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning TEM (STEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and NH 3 -TPD. The results show that rather than being doped into ZnO and/or Al 2 O 3 , PbO is highly dispersed in the ZnO/Al 2 O 3 base forming ultrafine nanoparticles. Despite the weak interactions within the mixed oxides, the high density of active sites generates outstanding catalytic activity and cycling stability for MPC synthesis, with an aniline conversion of almost 100% and MPC yield of up to 90% during six repeated tests, providing great potential for their further application.