Physico-chemical and catalytic properties of Mg–Al hydrotalcite and Mg–Al mixed oxide supported copper catalysts

The Mg–Al hydrotalcite (HT) and Mg–Al mixed oxide supported copper catalysts containing 3–3.5 wt.% copper in finely dispersed form were synthesized and characterized. The effect of support nature on physico-chemical and catalytic properties of supported copper species were studied. The loading of copper on the supports was observed to be influencing the surface acidic, basic and reducibility properties, and catalytic behavior in dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol. The high basicity and intercalated copper ions in Mg–Al hydrotalcite supported copper sample showed multifunctional activity in catalytic transformations of alcohols (primary, secondary and aromatic alcohols).