Nb2O5 supported on mixed oxides catalyzed oxidative and photochemical conversion of anilines to azoxybenzenes

The synthesis of novel supported niobium oxide catalysts and their application for aniline conversion to azoxybenzenes is described. The catalysts were successfully prepared by thermal decomposition of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), containing M2+ (M = Mg2+ and/or Zn2+) and Al3+ as layer cations, followed by niobium oxide incorporation employing the wetness impregnation method. These catalysts were fully characterized by both experimental techniques and theoretical calculations, and then successfully applied to the selective conversion of anilines into azoxybenzene derivatives, with up to 98% conversion and 92% isolated yield in the presence of violet light. Control experiments and DFT calculations revealed that the catalyst has a dual role in this transformation, acting both as a Lewis acid in the oxidative step and as a photocatalyst in the dimerization of the nitrosobenzene intermediate.