The Catalytic Conversion of Acetaldehyde

This paper presents the investigation of good catalysts in the synthesis of acetone from acetaldehyde and water in vapor phase. A 30 % aqueous solution of acetaldehyde was dropped at 10cc./hr. into a silica tube at 400 ' partially stuffed with a metallic oxide. The produced liquid, containing acetic acid, acetaldehyde and acetone, and the gases (CO,, Cnl-I_n, 0_, CO, 11,, ' CH., and N2) formed were analyzed. The conversion ratio of acetaldehyde and the yield of acetone were markedly high with ZnO, CdO, PUO or Fe.,03, followed by CaO, Sn02i or Mn02. With NiO, the conversion ratio was large, but the yield of acetone was nil. Al203 showed no effect: With CuO, SnO., V2O; or IVlo03, the yield of acetic acid was high as compared with other oxides