Oligomerization of propionaldehyde on novel basic catalysts

Abstract

Vapor-phase oligomerization of propanal to 2-methyl-2-pentenal and 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylcyclo-2-pentenone over basic zeolite catalysts (NaX, KNaX, KX, and CsNaX), as well as more traditional solid basic catalysts (MgO and MgO-Al2O3 hydrotalcites), was studied in an integral flow reactor at atmospheric pressure. Conversion and carbon yield based on catalyst properties (basicity, acidity) are reported. The highest stable activity was over KX, with the highest selectivity to the primary product, 2-methyl-2-pentenal (dehydrated aldol dimer of propanal) and the second highest selectivity to the secondary product, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylcyclo-2-pentenone (a non-aromatic cyclic trimer), with essentially no other products. Promotion of Zeolite X with various alkali metals also affected the acid and base site strengths, which had an effect on the conversion and selectivity.