PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 4-(4-HYDROXYPHENYL)BUTAN-2-ONE USING SOLID ACID CLAY CATALYST

摘要

Solid acid catalyst such as acid activated-Montmorillonite clay composite has been developed by modifying the Na-Montmorillonite clay with acid (HCl) treatment for different periods such as 5 minutes to about 4 hours and activating at about 12O°C for about 2 hours. Friedel Crafts alkylation reaction between phenol and 4-hydroxybutan-2-one in presence of the acid activated Montmorillonite clay catalysts exhibiting layered clay structures (basal spacing d001 ranging from about 10 to 13.5 Å), high surface area (250 - 400 m2/g), highly porous {micropores in the range 5 to 15 Å and mesopores in the range 30 to 80 Å}, average pore volume 0.2 to 0.65 cc/g, and surface acidity in the range 0.4 - 0.6 mmol/g; under constant stirring and at pressure of 1-15 bar, temperature 100 - 15O°C for a period of about 12 - 24 hours produces 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one (Raspberry ketone) exhibiting conversion about 35 - 55 % and high selectivity in the range 75 - 81 %.