Aerobic Acetalization of Ethylene Glycol with Acetone by Newly Designed Highly Efficient Soft NiO@B@GCN Nanocubes Catalyst

The ultimate objective is to create strategies for glycol acetalization that are both economically and ecologically benign. The product cyclic dioxolane formed by acetalization of glycol shows excellent solvent properties as it is non-carcinogenic and causes no ozone related problems. It is used as a component of solvent in batteries and also finds application in the fragrance, flavour, pharmaceutical, polymers and textile industries. Herein we report a highly promising and environmentally benign process for converting glycol into 2,2 dimethyl 1,3 dioxolane via acetalization through NiO@B@GCN nanocubes catalys. Comprehensive analysis shows that the high catalytic performance of NiO@B@GCN nanocubes is the result of the cooperation of band gap engineering and efficient charge transfer capabilities. This work demonstrates the use of a synergistic strategy to effectively synthesize soft NiO@B@GCN nanocubes as a promising catalyst that exhibit excellent product yield. Graphical Abstract