ABSTRACT
A study of the aldol condensation over four different zeolites shows trends which can enhance the selective properties of the reaction. Faujasite ‘X’, Linde ‘A’, Mordenite, and ZSM-5 were each ion exchanged with Li+, Cs+, Mg+2, and Ba+2 and the resulting species were used to catalyze the aldol condensation between benzaldehyde and the cyclic ketones, cyclooctanone, cyclohexanone, 3-methyl-cyclohexanone and cyclopentanone. It was found that the selectivity of the reaction for the formation of the monosubstituted product depended on the size of the zeolite cages, the cation and the ring size of the ketone.
