ABSTRACT
The effects of reaction temperature and reduction procedure on the activity and selectivity of the single-stage liquid-phase condensation of acetone to methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) were examined on a O.lwt.% Pd-supported hydrotalcite catalyst. A reaction temperature increase enhances the conversion of acetone but strongly suppresses the MIBK yield, due to enhanced over-condensation to undesirable (mainly 4 cyclic) by-products. The MIBK yield exhibits a maximum with reaction temperature and is strongly correlated with the relative contribution of the competing condensation vs. hydrogenation functions of a particular catalyst. A reduction (in-situ or ex-situ) treatment is required for catalyst activation, leading to enhanced activity for MIBK formation.
