Novel Au Nanoparticles-Strewn MnOOH Nanorod Composites: Simple Fabrication and Application in the Catalytic Reduction of Aromatic Nitro Compounds

Enhancing reductive conversion of levulinic acid and levulinates to γ-valerolactone: Role of oxygen vacancy in MnOx catalysts

Oxygen vacancies (Ov) in metal oxides play a crucial role in modifying the electronic and acidic properties of catalysts, thereby influencing their catalytic activity. This study explores the impact of Ov in MnOx catalysts on their acidic and catalytic properties for the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction of levulinic acid (LA) and levulinate to γ-valerolactone (GVL). Various characterization techniques demonstrate that surface Ov significantly modulate the acidic properties of MnOx catalysts, positively correlating with Lewis/Brønsted acid ratio and GVL yield. In situ DRIFTS and DFT calculations further unveil the reaction mechanism, revealing that Ov facilitate the activation and dehydrogenation of isopropanol and subsequent hydrogen transfer and hydrogenation of LA, leading to enhanced GVL production. These insights underscore the pivotal role of Ov in MnOx catalysts for the efficient conversion of LA to GVL, highlighting their importance in improving catalytic performance.

Porous manganese oxides synthesized with natural products at room temperature: a superior humidity-tolerant catalyst for ozone decomposition

Porous cerium-doped manganese oxides have been facilely synthesized with dopamine and exhibit prominent activity and humidity tolerance for O₃ decomposition.