Obtaining 6-hydroxyflavanone from Mg-Zn-Ni-Al Mixed Oxides

Abstract

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) containing Mg, Zn, Ni, and Al were synthesized via coprecipitation and subsequently calcined at 450 °C to obtain mixed oxides (MOs), which were evaluated in the organic synthesis of a compound exhibiting anticancer activity. The materials were physicochemically characterized to analyze their crystal structure, characteristic vibrational bands, morphology, textural properties, and basicity. Catalytic activity was evaluated in the Claisen-Schmidt condensation between benzaldehyde and 2,5-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAF) at 150 °C. Results indicated that Mg-containing MOs displayed superior structural and morphological properties. Among the materials tested, MO-Mg/Al exhibited the highest density of intermediate and strong basic sites per unit mass and area, followed by MO Mg-Ni/Al and MO Mg-Zn/Al, which presented a high concentration of intermediate-strength basic sites. Regarding catalytic activity, a maximum DHAF conversion of 63% was achieved using the MO-Mg/Al catalyst. Consequently, these catalysts demonstrate high potential for the synthesis of antioxidant 6-hydroxyflavanone.