Conversion of mixtures of butyraldehyde with isopropanol and 2-butanol on type X and type Y zeolites

Abstract

1. The features of the catalytic action of a number of type X and type Y zeolites in the conversion of mixtures of butyraldehyde (BA) with isopropanol and 2-butanol have been established. 2. The transfer of hydrogen from the alcohol to the aldehyde with the formation of n-butanol and acetone and the corresponding ethyl ketone on the zeolites 0.70 BaNaX, GdNaX, BaNaY, and the dealuminated faujasites CaNaY' and NdNaY' at 100–225°C is the main reaction in the BA-isopropanol and Ba- 2-butanol systems. The selectivity attains values of 80–82%, The most important side reactions are the crotonic condensation of BA, dehydration of the alcohols, and the formation of acetals. 3. The zeolite NaX is a low-activity catalyst in the reduction of BA by isopropanol and 2-butanol and, under the conditions employed, mainly accelerated the condensation of the aldehyde to form 2-ethylhexenal.