Dehydrogenation Catalysts for Synthesis of O-Phenylphenol via Cu/Ni/Mg/Al Hydrotalcite-Like Compounds as Precursors

A series of copper containing catalysts were prepared by calcination of Cu/Ni/Mg/Al hydrotalcite-like precursors, using the coprecipitation method. The materials were characterized and show a well-crystallized layered structure of hydrotalcite with smaller Cu0 particles. We also studied their catalytic performance for conversion of 2-(1-cyclohexenyl) cyclohexanone into o-phenylphenol. The catalysts containing Ni showed higher catalytic activity; the optimum stability occurred when the Ni2+:(Ni2+ + Cu2+) atomic ratio was 0.4. The combination of Cu and Ni can greatly improve the stability and activities of the catalyst.