Synergistic interaction between Ru and MgAl-LDH support for efficient hydrogen transfer reduction of carbonyl compounds under visible light

Abstract Coordinated Ru species, Ru/LDH, were applied to the reduction of carbonyl compounds via blue light irradiation under mild (45 °C, atmospheric argon pressure), ligand-free, and additive-free conditions. LDH can act as an efficient base catalyst to assist in formation of isopropoxide, requiring no additional base, because basic OH groups form an ordered distribution on LDH surface. The coordinated Ru species containing one OH and three oxygen atoms ligands deriving from the OH groups of LDH are a crucial component, for securing the active electron-deficient Ru species that favours formation of Ru-isopropoxide. The photocatalytic activity is related to the adsorption capacity of isopropyl alcohol near the electron-deficient Ru species and the formation of Ru-isopropoxide. The strong-metal-support interactions between Ru and LDH affect the coordination and the electronic surroundings of the Ru centres and have a significant effect on the photocatalytic activity.