Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of citral on calcined layered double hydroxides Original Research Article

The catalytic transfer hydrogenation of citral with 2-propanol (a Meerwein–Pondorf–Verley reaction) on basic catalysts obtained by calcination of Mg/Al, Mg/Al, Ga, Mg/Ga, Mg/In and Ca/Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was studied. The LDHs used were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and their textural and surface chemical properties were determined. All the catalysts studied were found to provide excellent results as regards catalytic activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation process. Conversion always exceeded 95% and selectivity 90% within the first 40 h of reaction. The catalytic activity of the LDHs was found to be a function of surface basicity (the most basic catalysts were also the most active ones).