Catalysed synthesis of 4-heptanone from 1-butanol

While investigating the reaction of 1-butanol over base catalysts, such as MgO, we observed the formation of small amounts of 4-heptanone. Further studies revealed that a CeO 2/MgO catalyst gave good selectivity to this product. To optimise the reaction and determine the reaction mechanism a series...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Catalysis today 1999, Vol.49 (1), p.71-77
Main Authors: Plint, Neville, Ghavalas, Darren, Vally, Tasneem, Sokolovski, Valery D, Coville, Neil J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Butanol
Catalysis
Catalysts: preparations and properties
Cerium oxide
Chemistry
Exact sciences and technology
General and physical chemistry
Heptanone
Magnesium oxide
Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
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Summary:While investigating the reaction of 1-butanol over base catalysts, such as MgO, we observed the formation of small amounts of 4-heptanone. Further studies revealed that a CeO 2/MgO catalyst gave good selectivity to this product. To optimise the reaction and determine the reaction mechanism a series of studies were undertaken in which a range of variables were modified viz. cerium loading, temperature, reagent composition and water addition. The optimum conditions for 4-heptanone yield (25.5%) and selectivity (42.5%) were found to be: 450°C, 1:6 oxygen to butanol reagent mixture and a total gas flow rate of 6.74 ml/min. A reaction mechanism in which butanol is oxidised to butanal and then butanoic acid followed by the coupling of two equivalents of butanoic acid to give the symmetrical ketone 4-heptanone and CO 2 is proposed.
ISSN:0920-5861
1873-4308
DOI:10.1016/S0920-5861(98)00410-6