LAUSR

Abstract Mixed oxides (mo)-ZnAl; NiAl; CoAl (M2+/Al = 3 M ratio) were obtained from layered double hydroxides (LDH) precursors synthesized by mechanochemical method. The solids were characterized by XRD, DRIFT, H2-TPR, NH3/CO2-TPD and determination of textural properties by N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. The catalytic activity was tested in the dehydration-cyclization of ethylenediamine with propylene glycol, followed by the dehydrogenation of the obtained piperazine, yielding the 2-methylpyrazine (2-MP) as the main reaction product. At 400 °C, the conversion of both reactants was quasi-total, but the yield to 2-MP was close to 90% on the solids with more active sites favoring dehydration-cyclization (mo-ZnAl and mo-CoAl).