Catalytic reaction of 1,3-butanediol over solid acids

Abstract

Catalytic reaction of 1,3-butanediol over solid acids such as SiO 2–Al 2O 3, Al 2O 3, ZrO 2 and TiO 2 was investigated. The catalytic activities of these acids were in good coincidence with their acid properties: strong acid catalysts, SiO 2–Al 2O 3 and Al 2O 3, catalyzed dehydration of 1,3-butanediol at the reaction temperature below 250 °C, while weak acid catalysts, ZrO 2 and TiO 2, required the temperature above 325 °C to activate 1,3-butanediol. SiO 2–Al 2O 3 catalyzed the dehydration of 1,3-butanediol into unsaturated alcohols, and consecutively dehydrated them into 1,3-butadiene. 4-Methyl-1,3-dioxane, which is the acetal compound of 1,3-butanediol and formaldehyde, was obtained with high selectivity over Al 2O 3. Several compounds were produced over TiO 2 and ZrO 2 owing to the side reactions such as dehydrogenation and hydrogenation. The characteristics in the reaction were discussed in connection with other reactions of monoalcohols and of the produced unsaturated alcohols.