Synthesis and characterization of a novel nano-scale magnetic solid base catalyst involving a layered double hydroxide supported on a ferrite core

A nano-scale magnetic solid base catalyst MgAl-OH-LDH/MgFe2O4 (where LDH denotes layered double hydroxide) composed of MaAI-OH-LDH Bronsted base catalytic layers coated on MgFe2O4 spinel cores has been prepared. A magnetic precursor MgAl-CO3-LDH/MgFe2O4 was prepared by a method involving separate nucleation and aging steps, and subsequently calcined to give a mixed metal oxide composite MgAl(O)/MgFe2O4 which was rehydrated to give MgAl-OH-LDH/MgFe2O4. The structure and magnetic properties of the nano-scale magnetic solid base MgAl-OH-LDH/MgFe2O4, together with those of the magnetic precursor MgAl-CO3-LDH/MgFe2O4 and MgFe2O4 were characterized by XRD, XPS, low temperature N-2 adsorption and vibrating sample inagnetorrietry (VSM). The MgAl-OH-LDH/MgFe2O4 Composite possesses a mesoporous structure with pore size ranging from 2 to 20 urn with particle size mainly in the range 35-130 nm. The catalytic properties of MgAl-OH-LDH/MgFe2O4 were evaluated using the self-condensation of acetone at 273 K as a probe reaction. The results showed that the conversion of acetone to diacetone alcohol reached the thermodynamic equilibrium value of 23% at 273 K. The catalyst was easily recovered through application of an external external ,nmagnetic field. and when the reclaimed catalyst Was used in a second run for the same reaction, the reactivity remained unchanged. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.