Recyclable hydrotalcite catalysts for alcohol imination via acceptorless dehydrogenationElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5gc00312a

Here we report that hydrotalcite-like materials (HTs) are active heterogeneous catalysts for alcohol imination, which proceeds through acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation. The catalytic activity of a series of Mg-Al hydrotalcites doped with Fe 3+ , Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cr 3+ and Cu 2+ is dependent on their composition, and Fe : Mg : Al HT yields up to 92% imine under mild conditions. Impregnation of Fe : Mg : Al HT with Pd 0 resulted in an enhancement of activity for acceptorless dehydrogenation, but a decrease in the isolated yield of imine in a loading-dependent manner. This is attributed to the Pd loading-dependent retention of imine and aldehyde on the catalysts. The substrate scope for alcohol imination and recyclability of the catalysts is discussed. Intrinsic catalytic activity of a series of hydrotalcite-like materials towards acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation and one-pot imination.