A new active catalyst for single step synthesis of methyl isobutyl ketone from acetone

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/cl.1998.583

2 wt% Ni-CaO catalyst prepared by sol-gel process showed 70-80% acetone conversion and 60% MIBK selectivity at 200 °C of reaction temperature. The incorporated Ni influenced CaCO₃, catalyst intermediate, to readily decompose into CaO, active basic component, and CO₂ at even 500°C. Meanwhile, Co or Pd did not influence CaCO₃ decomposition at the same temperature of 500°C and showed no catalytic activity. That is, Ni played a role as promoter for catalyst activation as well as active site of hydrogenation.