Synthesis of Pseudoionones by Acid and Base Solid Catalysts

The preparation of pseudoionones by aldol condensation reaction between citral and acetone have been carried out in the presence of acid (HY and beta zeolites), an acid–base (amorphous aluminophosphate) and basic catalysts such as an aluminophosphate oxynitride, MgO and different activated hydrotalcites. The results showed that acid or acid–base catalysts were not successful for performing in one pot the preparation of ionones. MgO and calcined hydrotalcites showed excellent activity and selectivity to pseudoionones, with calcined hydrotalcite more selective than MgO. Moreover, the rate of reaction can be improved by activating the hydrotalcite through rehydration. This activation can be successfully done by simply adding the optimum amount of water to the calcined hydrotalcite before reaction. The inhibiting effect of the concentration citral on the catalytic activity of rehydrated hydrotalcites that has been reported to occur at 273 K can be avoided by working at a reaction temperature of 333 K.