Cobalt-Based Hydrotalcite: A Potential Non-Noble Metal-Based Heterogeneous Catalyst for Selective Hydrogenation of Aromatic Aldehydes

Abstract

Cobalt-based molybdate-incorporated hydrotalcite was demonstrated to be a potential catalyst for the hydrogenation of aldehydes. The catalyst was prepared using a co-precipitation method in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia solution. The existence of a well-ordered layered double-hydroxide structure was confirmed from powder XRD, SEM, and FTIR studies. The developed MgCoMo hydrotalcite (HT)-interlayered material exhibited a platelet structure with an average crystallite size of 8.9 nm. The binding energies (780.2 and 795.1 eV) observed from the XPS spectrum of the material show the presence of Co3+ in the HT framework. The developed Mg–Co–Mo-interlayered material was found to have potential for the hydrogenation of aromatic aldehyde, and it showed a catalytic efficiency of 99.5% conversion with the exclusive formation of benzyl alcohol. The developed MgCoMo HT-interlayered material was further explored for the hydrogenation of other carbonyl groups, such as aldehydes and ketones containing functionalities, and it was found to be more efficient. Furthermore, recyclability study confirmed that its catalytic activity was maintained for several runs.