USE OF A HETEROGENEOUS COPPER / ZINC CATALYST FOR THE CONTINUOUS GAS-PHASE SYNTHESIS OF METHYLISOBUTYLKETONE AND / OR METHYLISOBUTYLCARBINOL BY HYDROGENATION OF MESITYL OXIDE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a catalyst comprising a copper and zinc mixture for the continuous, gas-phase synthesis of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and / or methyl isobutylcarbinol (MIBC) from mesityl oxide. It also relates to a synthesis process comprising the following successive steps: continuous injection of the reactants in gaseous form through a reactor; hydrogenation reaction under hydrogen pressure and at a temperature between 120 and 250 °C in the presence of said catalyst; condensation of the stream from the reactor and separation of the gas stream from the liquid stream; and purification of the liquid stream to separate the methyl isobutyl ketone and / or the methyl isobutylcarbinol.