One-Step Production of 1,3-Butadiene from 2,3-Butanediol Dehydration

We report the direct production of 1,3-butadiene from the dehydration of 2,3-butandiol by using alumina as catalyst. Under optimized kinetic reaction conditions, the production of methyl ethyl ketone and isobutyraldehyde, formed via the pinacol-pinacolone rearrangement, was markedly reduced and almost 80% selectivity to 1,3-butadiene and 1,3-butadiene could be achieved. The presence of water plays a critical role in the inhibition of oligomerization. The amphoteric nature of -Al2O3 was identified as important and this contributed to the improved catalytic selectivity when compared with other acidic catalysts.