Acetone → Mesityl oxide

Participants

Reaction Steps

Per hour, 1.5 liters of acetone were passed by the trickle method, i.e. from above, through this tubular reactor, which was at 150° C. and under a hydrogen pressure of 25 bar. This speed corresponds to a mean residence time of about 2 hours, within which an acetone conversion of 38% was achieved. The yield of 4-methylpentan-2-one, based on material converted, was 91%; in addition, 1% of isopropanol, 3% of the double-sided aldolization product 2,6-dimethylheptan-4-one and 2% of 4-methylpent-3-en-2-one were formed. Since the last-mentioned compound is an intermediate of 4-methylpentan-2-one and can be recycled to the synthesis reaction, in order to undergo hydrogenation, the yield of desired products totalled 92%. The conversion and yields were determined by gas chromatography.

Provenance & Evidence