One-pot tandem catalytic synthesis of α, β-unsaturated nitriles from alcohol with nitriles in aqueous phase

• Au–Pd bimetal catalyst supported on layered double hydroxide has been prepared.
• One-pot tandem catalysis can be carried out by the same Pd–Au/LDH catalyst.
• α, β-unsaturated nitriles have been synthesized from alcohol with nitriles.
• The bimetal catalyst was efficient and easily recyclable in aqueous phase.

Pd1–Au1 bimetal catalysts supported on basic layered double hydroxide (LDH) have been prepared conveniently with surface impregnation methods and structurally characterized by XRD, TEM and XPS. The nanoparticles were highly dispersed on LDH with an average size of 2.08 ± 0.3 nm and showed a strong cooperative effect between Au and Pd for the step of the alcohol oxidation. Moreover, the present hydrotalcite-supported bimetal catalysts can catalyze efficiently one-pot α-arylation reactions of nitriles with various alcohols in aqueous phase through tandem reactions. The bimetal catalyst has been extended for a broad substrate scope and recycled for at least 4 times.

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