Base-free selective oxidation of glycerol over LDH hosted transition metal complexes using 3% H2O2 as oxidant

Abstract

A series of transition metal sulphonato-Schiff base complexes were intercalated into Mg–Al layered-double hydroxides (LDHs). The obtained catalysts were characterized by FTIR, XRD, N2 sorption, SEM and elemental analysis, and then were used in the selective oxidation of glycerol (GLY) using 3% H2O2 as an oxidant. It was found that their catalytic performances were closely related to the loading of active complexes, the Schiff base ligands and the metal centers of the catalysts, as well as the reaction conditions. The optimal conversion of GLY was 85.0%, while the selectivity of 1,3-dihydroxyacetone (DHA) was 56.5%. Moreover, the catalysts could be reused at least 10 times.