Ni-Amino Acid–CaAl-Layered Double Hydroxide Composites: Construction, Characterization and Catalytic Properties in Oxidative Transformations

Host–guest composite materials were prepared applying the anionic forms of Ni(II)-amino acid (l-histidine, l-cysteine, and l-tyrosine) as the guests and CaAl-layered double hydroxide (CaAl-LDH) as the host. The syntheses were performed either by introducing the amino acid anions first and then constructing the metal ion–amino acid complexes or intercalating the pre-prepared complexes in anionic forms. The pristine as well as the composite LDH samples were structurally characterized by X-ray diffractometry, mid IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The structural features of the interlayer complexes were studied by UV–Vis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission, mid and far IR and X-ray absorption spectroscopies as well as energy-dispersed X-ray analysis. On the basis of the acquired data, structural models were constructed. The composites were applied as catalysts in the liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexene applying peracetic acid and the in situ formed iodosyl benzene as oxidants. Using peracetic acid afforded epoxide, while applying iodosyl benzene provided cis diol as the major or exclusive oxidation product. The catalysts displayed good recycling properties.