Fabrication of MgAl2Si2O8 : M0.01 (M = Ni2+, Cu2+, Pd2+, Pt2+ and Ru3+): catalytic effects for the reduction of 2- or 4-nitroanilines in water

Five new MgAl2Si2O8 : M0.01 (M = Ni2+, Cu2+, Pd2+, Pt2+ and Ru3+) materials were developed for the reduction of nitroarenes as catalysts by conventional solid state reaction at 1300∘C. The prepared materials were characterized by thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis. The catalytic activities of the prepared catalysts were tested in the reduction of 2- or 4-nitroanilines in aqueous media at ambient temperature in the presence of NaBH4 by UV–vis spectrophotometer. Furthermore, the MgAl2Si2O8 : M0.01 catalysts can be recovered by filtration and reused for five cycles for the reduction of 2-nitroaniline. These results show that the MgAl2Si2O8 : M0.01 catalysts can be used in practical applications in the reduction of nitroanilines.