The invention relates to a method for preparing
acrolein from
glycerol or glycerine, comprising dehydrating
glycerol or glycerine in the presence of a catalyst consisting of at least a) a
mixed oxide of
zirconium and at least one
metal, said
metal being selected from
niobium,
tantalum and
vanadium, b) a
zirconium oxide and at least one
metal oxide, the metal being selected from
niobium,
tantalum and
vanadium, c) a
silicon oxide and a
mixed oxide of
zirconium and at least one metal, the metal being selected from
tungsten,
cerium,
manganese,
niobium,
tantalum,
titanium,
vanadium and
silicon, d) a
silicon oxide and a
mixed oxide of zirconium and at least one metal, the metal being selected from
tungsten,
cerium,
manganese, niobium, tantalum, vanadium and
titanium, e) a
titanium oxide and a mixed oxide of zirconium and at least one metal, said metal being selected from
tungsten,
cerium,
manganese, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium and silicon, f) a
titanium oxide and a mixed oxide or zirconium and at least one metal, said metal being selected from tungsten, cerium, manganese, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium and silicon. The method can be used for producing -3-(methylthio)propionic (MMP)
aldehyde, 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile (HMTBN),
methionine and analogues thereof from
acrolein.