Lattice distorted MnCo oxide materials as efficient catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of levulinic acid using formic acid as H-donor

Abstract

Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of levulinic acid using H-donors represents one of the most promising routes to replace conventional hydrogenation processes using fossil-derived H2. Current studies on catalyst design are focused on the effects of metal composition and metal-support interaction on tandem H2 generation and hydrogenation. However, the influence of lattice-mismatch induced structural distortion on catalytic CH and CO bond cleavage is largely unexplored in this area. We proposed unique MnCo-based oxide catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone using formic acid as H-donor. The key finding is that, lattice distortion of MnCo oxides induces electronically coupled MnCoO3 phase at MnOx-CoOx interface as intrinsically active site for transfer hydrogenation. Catalyst characterization by XRD, XPS, and TEM techniques were interpreted to further demonstrate the synergism of MnCo-based catalysts for tandem hydrogenation reactions. This work will provide insights into the development of structurally distorted inexpensive metal oxide catalysts for transfer hydrogenation technologies.