This invention discloses a method for synthesizing 2-
heptanone, comprising continuously feeding n-
butyraldehyde into an alkaline
reaction system. The
reaction system includes activated
acetone and a hydrogenation catalyst, with
acetone in excess relative to n-
butyraldehyde. In this invention, n-
butyraldehyde is continuously fed into an alkaline
reaction system comprising a hydrogenation catalyst and activated
acetone in a high-
pressure reactor under a
hydrogen atmosphere. By controlling the feeding rate of n-butyraldehyde, it is rapidly diluted to reduce self-
polymerization and the generation of byproducts, especially high-boiling-point substances, thereby improving the selectivity of MAK (methyl ethyl
ether). By controlling the total amount of n-butyraldehyde added, the reaction
system is kept in excess of acetone to improve the conversion rate of n-butyraldehyde. This invention achieves a one-step synthesis of 2-
heptanone in a reactor, with high reaction efficiency, short reaction time, high MAK selectivity, easy purification, easy
material recovery and reuse, low
energy consumption, and ease of industrialization.