Synthesis of methyl isobutyl ketone over a multifunctional heterogeneous catalyst: Effect of metal and base components on selectivity and activity

Four catalyst systems, Pd-KOH/silica, Pd-CsOH/silica, Ni-KOH/silica, and Ni-CsOH/silica, have been investigated for the conversion of acetone to MIBK. Nickel catalysts were generally less selective, with MIBK being further hydrogenated to MIBC, and isophorone becoming a major product at high temperatures. KOH-based catalysts were found to be less active than their CsOH-based counterparts. The activation energy for MIBK production suggested that the rate determining step was within the base catalyzed part of the reaction sequence and this was supported by the product distributions.