Catalytic preparation of ketones of the pyridine series

Abstract

1. A vapor-phase catalytic method is proposed for the preparation of difficultly accessible pyridine ketones over a ZrO2 or 15 mol.% ZrO2-Al2O3 catalyst, which has very good stability. 2. With increase in the molecular weight of the fatty acid the yield of ketone falls, and the yield of pyridine rises. 3. By the catalytic coketonization of ethyl nicotinate and isonicotinate with acetic, propionic, butyric, and valeric acids at a molar ratio of 1 ∶ 4 at 450–460°, 3- and 4-acetyl-, 3- and 4-propionyl-, 3- and 4-butyryl-, and 3- and 4-valerylpyridines were isolated in good yields.