Catalytic oxidation of butylated hydroxytoluene using thermally treated cobalt-copper layered double hydroxides: Synthesis, structural evolution, and mechanistic insights

Abstract

This study investigates the application of cobalt-copper layered double hydroxides (LDHs) in the oxidation of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and explores their catalytic behavior during thermal treatment. LDHs were synthesized via coprecipitation, and various ratios of Co-Cu hydrotalcite were subjected to thermal treatment. Structural analysis revealed that thermal treatment transforms the LDHs into mixed metal oxides. Among the synthesized catalysts, Co1Cu3-LDHs exhibited superior catalytic activity in the oxidation of BHT. Techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, TGA, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM, and XPS were employed to investigate the structural changes and surface properties of the LDHs. The Co1Cu3-LDH catalyst, treated at 250 °C, exhibited outstanding catalytic performance, attributed to the synergistic effects between Co and Cu. Upon optimizing the reaction conditions, the conversion of BHT reached 99 %, with a selectivity of 77 % towards 3,5-di‑tert‑butyl‑4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (BHT-CHO). The oxidation mechanism involves the oxidation of the π-electron system on the benzene ring and deep oxidation of the phenolic hydroxyl methyl group, with two potential reaction pathways proposed.