One-step conversion of acetone to methyl isobutyl ketone over Pd-mixed oxide catalysts prepared from novel layered double hydroxides

Novel layered double hydroxides, [MAl4(OH)12](NO3)2⋅nH2O (M = (Li+)2, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+), impregnated with palladium, have proved to be precursors to active bifunctional mixed oxide catalysts for the one-step synthesis of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) from acetone and H2 in the gas phase. High acetone conversions of up to 76% and MIBK selectivities of up to 91% were recorded at a reaction temperature of 250 °C and atmospheric pressure. The palladium catalysts based on Li and Zn layered double hydroxides displayed efficient catalytic performances at the low reaction temperature of 120 °C. Powder XRD and 27Al MAS NMR showed that initially crystalline layered double hydroxides transformed to amorphous mixed oxide materials upon catalyst activation at 250 °C under H2.