Synthesis of ionic liquid intercalated layered double hydroxides of magnesium and aluminum: A greener catalyst of Knoevenagel condensation

Abstract

Due to their structural merits that arise from their stability and high surface area, the layered double hydroxide (LDH) materials have caused strong attention. These characteristics provided intriguing possibilities with improved efficiency for catalytic applications. In this work, the preparation of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide ([BMIM]+OH−) intercalated by a facile approach in a layered double hydroxide (LDH) matrix is reported and its implementation as a greener catalyst is shown. Different physico-chemical techniques such as XRD, FTIR, TGA, and N2-physisorption, HRTEM, and CO2 adsorption are implemented to characterize the structure of the fabricated catalysts. The [BMIM]+OH−/LDH exhibit outstanding catalytic performance in Knoevenagel condensation, resulting from the high LDH surface area and synergistic effects between both the intercalated ionic liquid and LDHs matrix. Knoevenagel’s fabricated catalysts can be exploited to catalyze different condensations and can be reused well. This work therefore generates good opportunities in the field of catalysis for the preparing and implementation of LDH-based catalysts. Keywords: MgAl-LDH, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide, Ionic liquid, Knoevenagel condensation, catalysis