The catalytic epoxidation of 2-cyclohexen-1-one over uncalcined layered double hydroxides using various solvents

•Epoxidation of an α,β-unsaturated oxo compound was performed over as-prepared and calcined LDHs.•The as-prepared (uncalcined) LDHs were always more active than the calcined ones.•The highest activity was achieved with uncalcined CaFe-LDH.•Optimum conditions for the epoxidation reaction have also been determined.

The epoxidation reaction of an α,β-unsaturated ketone (2-cyclohexen-1-one), that is, an electron deficient C=C bond was performed over as-prepared and calcined layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of both the hydrotalcite- and the hydrocalumite type. It was found that the as-prepared LDHs always performed better than the calcined derivatives. Among them, the CaFe-LDH was the most active. The optimum reaction temperature and the most suitable solvent were also found after performing several set of reactions.

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