Guerbet condensation of ethanol and 1-butanol over Mg-Al oxide catalysts in a flow reactor

What is it about?

Catalytic Mg-Al oxide compositions have been studied in a vapor phase condensation of C2, C4 alcohols (by Guerbet reaction) in a flow reactor. The acid/base capacity ratio, which is determined by Mg/Al ratio, is an important characteristic for the activity and selectivity of Mg-Al oxide catalysts in the process under study. The carbon chain length of the reacting alcohols, an arrangement of surface active sites and other steric factors also have an impact on Guerbet condensation in a vapor phase. High productivity of Mg-Al oxide compositions to the Guerbet alcohols: BuOH – 25, 2-EH – 19 g/(lcat·h), has been achieved. The results are shown a promise of realization of successive conversion: 1) ethanol → 1-butanol; 2) 1-butanol → 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, in a flow reactor under atmospheric pressure in the presence of Mg-Al oxide catalysts

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