Abstract: | Kinetics of the liquid‐phase catalytic hydrogenation of m‐phenoxybenzaldehyde to m‐phenoxybenzyl alcohol have been investigated over the Raney nickel catalyst. Effects of hydrogen partial pressure (500‐2000 kPa), catalyst loading (1.6‐6.4 g.L?1), m‐phenoxybenzaldehyde concentration (0.2‐0.8 mol.L?1) and temperature (333‐363 K) on the progress of the reaction were studied. The speed of stirring > 15 rps has no effect on the initial rate of reaction. Effects of various catalysts and solvents on the hydrogenation of m‐phenoxybenzaldehyde have been investigated. The reaction was found to be first order with respect to the hydrogen partial pressure, catalyst loading and m‐phenoxybenzaldehyde concentration. Several Langmuir‐Hinshelwood type models were considered and the experimental data fitted to the model involving surface reaction, between dissociatively adsorbed hydrogen and molecularly adsorbed m‐phenoxybenzaldehyde. |