Ketones from monocarboxylic acids: Catalytic ketonization over oxide systems Original Research Article

The ketonization of acetic acid was studied in the presence of a series of 20 oxide catalysts supported on SiO2, TiO2 and Al2O3. The reactions were performed in the continuous flow reactor. Ceria-and mangania-containing catalysts exhibited the highest activity. The influence of the oxide phase concentration, liquid hourly space velocity and of the type of the catalyst carrier on the acetone yield was determined. Alumina support showed the most pronounced effect on the activity of deposited oxides. High yields of 3-pentanone, 6-undecanone, and 7-tridecanone were achieved in the ketonization of appropriate acids in the presence of mangania and ceria catalysts in large-scale laboratory experiments.