Effect of interlayer anions on the catalytic activity of Mg-Al layered double hydroxides for furfural and acetone aldol condensation reaction

The aldol condensation reaction between furfural (F) and acetone (A), which typically produces 4-(2-Furyl)-3-buten-2-one (FA), is a critical reaction due to the application of the final product as a flavoring agent in various food items. Traditionally, this reaction is catalyzed by liquid-based catalysts. However, homogeneous liquid-base catalysis often leads to environmental damage. Solid-base catalysis is highly desirable to address the environmental issue due to liquid-base catalysis as it reduces the need for excessive solvents and reagents, thus preserving the environment. In this study, a series of Mg-Al hydrotalcites (HT) intercalated with nitrate ion (HT-NO3), carbonate ion (HT-CO3), or acetate ion (HT-CH3COO) were prepared using three different coprecipitation procedures. Upon calcination at 450°C, the solids were transformed into mixed metal oxides. Among the calcined hydrotalcites, the catalysts with acetate anion (cHT-CH3COO) or carbonate anion (cHT-CO3) exhibited the highest basicity and thus showed superior catalytic activity for the aldol condensation reaction. Optimal conversion and selectivity were achieved at 90°C for 2 hours using the most basic catalysts (cHT-CO3 and cHT-CH3COO). These catalysts yielded over 98% conversion with FA selectivity of 76% for cHT-CO3 and 65% for cHT-CH3COO, respectively. Notably, the catalyst cHT-CH3COO exhibited higher selectivity towards F2A (32%) than the cHT-CO3 catalyst (18%). The effect of interlayer anions on the structural properties of the Mg-Al hydrotalcites was analyzed using X-ray diffraction. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was employed to investigate the interactions corresponding to different types of anions. The specific surface area and pore volume of the calcined Mg-Al hydrotalcites were determined using nitrogen adsorption (BET), while their total basicity was evaluated through acid-base titration. The reaction kinetics were monitored using gas chromatography.