CATALYTIC ACTIVITY FOR VAPOR-PHASE ALDOL CONDENSATION AND ACID-BASE PROPERTIES OF METAL-OXIDE CATALYSTS

Vapor-phase aldol condensation of formaldehyde with different reactants, such as carboxylic acid, ketone, aldehyde, and nitrile, was studied using various kinds of single and mixed oxides as catalysts. The performances of catalyst and the characteristic features of reaction are different depending of the difference in the reactants. The results are discussed in the light of the reactivities of the reactants and formaldehyde, the acid-base properties of catalysts, and the characters of the side-reactions.