Novel Preparation of Titania-Modified CMK-3 Nanostructured Material as Support for Ir Catalyst Applied in Hydrodenitrogenation of Indole

Iridium catalyst was prepared using a novel titanium oxide-CMK-3 support synthesized as a replica of Ti-SBA-15. The catalyst was applied in the hydrodenitrogenation of indole. The activity was compared with an iridium catalyst supported over a grafted titanium-CMK-3. Structural and textural characterization of the catalysts was performed by means of N 2 adsorption, XRD, UV–Vis–DRS, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, TEM and H 2 Chemisorption. Ir-Ti-CMK-3 was the most active catalyst for the hydrodenitrogenation reaction at mild conditions. Titanium oxide contained in carbon ordered mesoporous CMK-3 promotes a very good anchorage of iridium metallic clusters in the carbon framework reaching high active site distribution and more stable nanoclusters. Graphical Abstract