(1) Department of Chemical Science and Technology, The University of Tokushima, Minamijosanjima, 770 Tokushima, Japan;(2) Tokyo Research Laboratories, Kao Corporation, 2-1-3 Bunka, Sumida, 131 Tokyo, Japan
Abstract:
Silica-supported alkaline earth oxides revealed excellent activity to convert acetic acid selectively into acetone in a vapor-phase fixed-bed flow system. Acetone was obtained through the cyclic formation of alkaline earth acetate followed by decomposition. Magnesium oxide should be supported on the silica surface without formation of magnesium silicate, which was inactive for the present reaction. Attempted syntheses of benzophenone and acetophenone are also described.