Copper nanoparticles on dichromium trioxide: A highly efficient catalyst from copper chromium hydrotalcite for oxidant-free dehydrogenation of alcohols

Abstract

Stable copper(0) nanoparticles supported on chromium (Cu(0)/Cr2O3) are prepared from the composite precursor copper chromium hydrotalcite. The resulting Cu(0)/Cr2O3 catalyst is first used in the selective dehydrogenation of alcohols to aldehydes. More impressively, these dehydrogenations are performed without oxidants and yields of products are high. The stability of Cu(0)/Cr2O3 is also assessed by studying its recoverability and reusability for up to five cycles.