Novel layered double hydroxide/oxide-coated nickel-based core-shell nanocomposites for benzonitrile selective hydrogenation: An interesting water switch

Two novel layered double hydroxide (LDH)/layered double oxide (LDO)-coated nickel-based core-shell nanocomposites were first prepared from a hydrotalcite-like precursor. Water was found to act as a switch to tune the structures and acid-base properties between Ni@mSiO(2)@LDO and Ni@mSiO(2)@LDH, as demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia, resulting in chemoselective hydrogenation of benzonitrile to afford N-benzylidenebenzylamine (selectivity 92.3%) and benzylamine (selectivity 76.1%), respectively. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.