Aldol condensation using solid basic catalyst of MgO and Al2O3 having a high surface area.

摘要

Solid solutions of magnesium oxide - aluminum oxide related to hydrotalcite and what previously has been referred to as synthetic hydrotalcites, have been prepared with a surface area in excess of 250 m<2>/g, especially at low Mg/Al atom ratios. Such high surface area basic materials are found to be quite effective as catalysts in the aldol condensation of aldehydes, and in particular in the conversion of n-butyraldehyde to 2-ethyl-2-hexenal in high yield and with good selectivity in a liquid phase reaction at temperatures under about 200<o>C.