Synthesis of Hydrocinnamaldehyde via Vapor Phase Dehydrogenation of Hydrocinnamyl alcohol over Rice‐Derived MgO‐Supported Copper Catalysts

Abstract

AbstractGreen synthetic method for the production of hydrocinnamaldehyde via vapour phase dehydrogenation of hydrocinnnamyl alcohol over high surface area MgO (HSA‐MgO) supported Cu catalyst at atmospheric pressure without using any additives has been attempted. Cu/HSA‐MgO catalysts have been prepared by thermal decomposition of cooked rice grains mixed with magnesium acetate followed by wet impregnation by Cu. The prepared catalysts have been characterized by various physiochemical characterization techniques such as TGA, XRD, BET surface area, TPD of CO2, H2‐TPR, TEM, SEM, EDX and N2O pulse chemisorption. Among all the catalysts, 10%Cu/HSA‐MgO catalyst is found to be the best catalyst with 78% conversion of hydrocinnnamyl alcohol and 96% selectivity of hydrocinnamaldehyde. N2O pulse chemisorption and TPR analysis results divulge the high dispersion of smaller copper particles on the surface of HSA‐MgO support which is considered to be responsible for its superior catalytic activity.