A facile synthesis of in-situ formed amorphous zirconia catalysts for efficient transfer hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehydes. (1st June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cui, Haishuai; Zhong, Linhao; Lv, Yang; Hao, Fang; Liu, Pingle; Xiong, Wei; Xiong, Shaofeng; Liu, Huajie; Luo, He'an
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 317(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06-01
• Subjects: Self-selective catalyst -- Amorphous zirconia -- Cinnamaldehyde -- Transfer hydrogenation -- Surface hydroxyl; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123551
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Low-cost self-selective ZrO2 catalysts present potential application in economical commercial production of unsaturated alcohol from unsaturated aldehydes. Highlights: Zr(NO3 )4 ·5H2 O was used as simple catalyst in unsaturated aldehydes transfer hydrogenation. The in-situ formed zirconia during the reaction act as the self-selective catalyst. Surface hydroxyl group on zirconia can effectively reduce the reaction energy barrier. Abstract: Several metal salts were used for the cinnamaldehyde transfer hydrogenation, and it was found that heterogeneous reactions coexisted in this superficial homogeneous catalytic system. Among these metal salts, Zr(NO3 )4 ·5H2 O exhibits the best catalytic performance. Notably, the in-situ formed amorphous zirconia during the reaction is identified as the active site of Zr(NO3 )4 ·5H2 O. The in-situ formed zirconia in the presence of cinnamaldehyde (self-selective ZrO2 ) possesses smaller particle size, better dispersion and more surface hydroxyl groups, which exhibits remarkably enhanced catalytic performance in cinnamaldehyde transfer hydrogenation as compared to the commercial nano-zirconia and laboratory-prepared zirconia. The characterization and theoretical analysis reveal that the synergistic catalytic effect between zirconium active site and surface hydroxyl groups can effectively activate CO bonds in cinnamaldehyde and reduce the activation energy barrier, thus significantly improving the transfer hydrogenation performance. Moreover, the self-selective ZrO2 exhibits excellent catalytic performance for a series of unsaturated aldehydes.