Synthesis of copper-containing ordered mesoporous carbons for selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde

Copper-containing ordered mesoporous carbons (Cu-OMCs) for the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde were synthesized by an organic–organic self-assembly strategy. The as-prepared samples were characterized with nitrogen sorption, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The exact Cu contents were determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the Cu-OMCs possessed an ordered and uniform mesoporous structure, high surface areas and high pore volumes. Copper nanoparticles of size 4–15 nm were confined inside the mesopores or walls of the mesoporous carbon. By comparison with the traditional impregnated Cu/OMC and Cu/AC (activated carbon) catalysts, the Cu-OMC catalyst exhibited much higher activity and selectivity to cinnamyl alcohol.

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► An organic–organic self-assembly strategy for the synthesis of Cu-OMCs catalysts.
► Cu nanoparticles were highly dispersed in the OMC matrixes.
► Cu-OMC exhibited much higher selectivity to CMO than impregnated Cu-based catalysts.