Acetone condensation over CaO—SnO2 catalyst

Abstract

Aldol condensation of acetone was studied over solid base CaO—SnO₂ catalyst in the 300—450 °C temperature range and at 15—75 atm pressure in a fixed-bed reactor. The main products are mesityl oxide and isophorone. The high stability of CaO—SnO₂ catalyst performance was observed at pressure of 75 atm giving the acetone conversion of 36—41%. Increase in the temperature and pressure led to a simultaneous raise in acetone conversion. The maximum conversion of 41% was achieved at 400 °C, 75 atm and a flow rate of acetone of 8.1 g h^–1 (g catalyst)^–1.