Effective Heterogeneous MoOx-Modified CeO2 Catalyst for Michael Addition of Dimethyl Malonate to 2-Cyclohexen-1-one

Molybdenum oxide-modified cerium oxide (MoOx-CeO2) with 1 wt % Mo acted as an effective and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for Michael addition of dimethyl malonate to 2-cyclohexen-1-one, providing high yield of the target product (99 %). The catalyst showed higher activity with high selectivity (>99 %) than simple metal oxides and the other combination of metal oxides and CeO2. Based on the catalyst characterization and experimental studies, MoOx species in the MoOx-CeO2 catalyst are isolated Mo6+, and the interface between the isolated MoOx and CeO2 is the active site. The activity based on the active site was about 74-fold and 1800-fold higher than that of CeO2 surface and the typical strong organic base of DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene), respectively.

Automated summary

The MoOx-CeO2 catalyst has high efficiency and selectivity in the Michael addition reaction of dimethyl malonate to 2-cyclohexen-1-one, with the active site being the interface between isolated MoOx and CeO2.