Composite catalyst, process for producing the same, and method for using the same

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used ruthenium/activated charcoal (Ru/AC) treated with synthesized nano-ZnO (n ZnO) for the first time as a novel composite catalyst in one-step self-condensation of acetone (DMK) to methyl isobutyl ketone in gas phase.

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use ruthenium/activated charcoal (Ru/AC) treated with synthesized nano-ZnO (n-ZnO) for the first time as a novel composite catalyst in one-step self-condensation of acetone (DMK) to methyl isobutyl ketone in gas phase.SOLUTION: DMK self-condensation was performed under atmospheric pressure, in a tubular glass fixed-bed microreactor, under DMK and H2 continuous flow at temperature in the range of 523 to 648 K. The addition of n-ZnO to Ru/AC resulted in a pronounced increase in the degree of dispersion of Ru and in the acidic/basic sites concentration ratio. For the one-step synthesis of MIBK at 623 K, the composite catalyst with 2.5 wt.% Ru loading is an active and selective bi-functional composite catalyst with balanced acid/base and hydrogenation properties. At 523 K, isopropyl alcohol, product of DMK-direct hydrogenation, is produced in high selectivity for instantly investigated composite catalyst. The catalytic performance depends on the composite catalyst identity, DMK flow rate, H2 flow rate, and reaction temperature.