A METHOD TO DE-COUPLE METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE AND DIISOBUTYL KETONE CO-PRODUCED FROM ACETONE AND ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL

摘要

A method for the catalytic manufacture of MIBK and DISK from DMK and/or IPA(optionally in the presence of water) whileobtaining improved control over the ratio of DIBK to MIBK in the productstream, comprising reacting, in the presence of an aldolcondensation catalyst, a reactant mixture comprising DMK and/or IPA and aneffective amount of an additional reactant selected from thegroup consisting of mesityl oxide (MSO) and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC)and mixtures thereof. Reaction temperature may also bechanged to affect the product ratio obtained. The preferred catalyst is copper-based. An overall excess of hydrogen is desired, and thismay be achieved by introducing or recycling hydrogen, and/or by balancingexothermic and endothermic reactions. By this invention, theproduct ratio of DIBK to MIBK is altered such that, as DMK and/or IPAconversion is increased, a lesser amount of DIBK than normal isproduced, resulting in improved ability to control the product ratio of thesematerials.