Alkoxylation reaction catalysed by layered double hydroxides

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are extensively studied as precursors for catalysts, following a calcination at high temperatures to yield mixed oxides. However, these materials are less used as layered materials, i.e., without undergoing thermal activation. We have focused in this work on the use of a series of as-synthesised LDHs for the catalytic preparation of glycol ethers, which is a reaction of primary commercial importance. Two main systems are considered, namely the [Cu–Cr] and [Mg–Al] LDHs. The [Cu–Cr–Cl] LDH is obtained by the coprecipitation method, then through the appropriate chimie douce exchange reactions the original chloride anions are replaced by a variety of oxo- and polyoxometallates, (CrO₄)²⁻, (Cr₂O₇)²⁻, (V₂O₇)²⁻, (V₁₀O₂₈)⁶⁻ and (Mo₇O₂₄)⁶⁻. On the other hand, the [Mg–Al] hydrotalcites, intercalated by (V₂O₇)²⁻, (V₁₀O₂₈)⁶⁻ and [Fe^III(CN)₆]³⁻ anions, are obtained by structure regeneration. This was done by rehydration of a commercial calcined material (Kyowa) in aqueous solutions containing the desired anion. The different materials have been fully characterised by conventional analytical techniques to evidence their lamellar properties and chemical nature. They were then tested in the catalytic reaction involving butan-1-ol and one or more units of ethylene oxide to make butyl-monoglycol ether (BMGE), di-glycol ether (BDGE), tri-glycol ether (BTGE), etc. The reactions were carried out between 80 and 120°C, temperature range in which no collapse of the lamellar structure is normally observed. In this paper it is shown that decavanadate exchanged LDHs proved to be very selective catalysts for the preparation of the monoglycol adduct, some samples achieving up to 100% selectivity in the screening tests.