King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology

Vagif Melik Akhmedov

Abdulaziz Bagabas

Mohamed Mokhtar Mohamed Mostafa

Abdulrahman A Al-Rabiah

Ruthenium/activated charcoal (Ru/AC) treated with synthesized nano-ZnO (n-ZnO) is used for the first time as a novel composite catalyst in one-step self-condensation of acetone (DMK) to methyl isobutyl ketone in the gas phase. The DMK self-condensation was performed under atmospheric pressure, in a tubular glass fixed-bed microreactor, under DMK and Hcontinuous flow at temperature in the range of 523 to 648 K. 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 was 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, was produced in high selectivity for instantly investigated composite catalyst. The catalytic performance depended on the composite catalyst identity, DMK flow rate, Hflow rate, and reaction temperature.

Synthesizing and utilizing novel ruthenium nanoparticle-activated charcoal-nano-zinc oxide composite catalyst

Several metal-supported catalyst compositions based on nano-crystalline zinc oxide were synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Carbon dioxide temperature programmed desorption (COTPD), and nitrogen adsorption at &#x2212;196&#xb0; C. The Pd-supported nano-ZnO mixed with different oxides such as CrO, CrO, MgO, and &#x3b3;-AlOshowed high catalytic activity in acetone condensation in gas-phase process under hydrogen flow. This reaction involves the base-acid coupling of acetone to form mesityl oxide, followed by its hydrogenation to methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). The novel catalyst 1% wt. n-Pd/n-ZnCrOwas utilized during gas-phase reaction during production of MIBK. MIBK selectivity was 70-72% at 66-77% acetone conversion at 300-350&#xb0; C. Diisobutyl ketone (DIBK) was the main by-product, with a total MIBK+DIBK selectivity up to 88%. The prepared catalysts showed stable activity and may be used repeatedly and for a longer period of time.

Growing community of inventors

Baku, Azerbaijan

Vagif Melik Akhmedov