Catalytic conversion of acetone and n-butanol over metal incorporated hydrotalcite-derived oxides catalysts

The catalytic activity/selectivity of copper, silver, and silver-copper incorporated thermally treated hydrotalcite catalysts prepared at different temperatures were investigated in the continuous gas phase aldol condensation reaction between acetone and n-butanol. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by gas adsorption analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DR-UV), temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen (H₂-TPR), temperature-programmed desorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂-TPD) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). A mixture of several condensation products was produced by the cross- and self-aldol condensation reactions. Incorporation of copper, silver and silver-copper into thermally treated hydrotalcite can enhance the catalytic activity and selectivity of compounds with carbon number 11 (C11), especially over silver-copper incorporated thermally treated hydrotalcite catalysts at 800 °C (AgCu/HT800).