Functional layered double hydroxides and their catalytic activity for 1,4-addition of n -octanol to 2-propenonitrile

Abstract This contribution concerns the catalytic activity of functional layered double hydroxides (LDHs) for 1,4-addition of n-octanol to 2-propenonitrile aiming to investigate the influence of the organic interlayer anion nature on their physico-chemical and catalytic performances. Two series of functional LDHs, e.g. Mg2.5Al, and Zn2.5Al respectively, were synthesized by co-precipitation at pH 9.5 using a metal nitrates M2 +(NO3)2·6H2O (M2 + = Mg, Zn), Al(NO3)3 ∙ 9H2O solution, an organic acid sodium salt (e.g. sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaDS), sodium laurate (NaL), or sodium stearate (NaS)) and NaOH solution for pH adjustment. XRD, DRIFTS and DR-UV–Vis-NIR characterizations indicated a better intercalation of DS in the interlayer region compared to L or S. The catalytic activity of these solids was related to both their organophilic character and basicity, Mg2.5Al-DS samples, which were more basic, showed a higher activity than Zn2.5Al-DS.