HIGHLY SELECTIVE ONE-STEP FORMATION OF METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE FROM ACETONE WITH A MAGNESIA SUPPORTED NICKEL-CATALYST

A new catalyst for the production of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) from acetone and hydrogen in one step at atmospheric pressure has been prepared. The catalyst was obtained by impregnation of MgO with an aqueous solution of nickel nitrate, dried, calcined in air and reduced in hydrogen. This catalyst showed a high selectivity to MIBK, reaching in some experiments between 60 and 80%. A loss of activity with time on stream, probably due to coke deposition was also found. An increase in reduction temperature from 300 to 500-degrees-C gives a decrease in MIBK selectivity that is due to an increase in the yield of 2-propanol.