Catalytic Ketonization over Oxide Catalysts, Part IV. Cycloketonization of Diethyl Hexanodiate

Activity of 20 wt.% MO₂/S catalysts, where M = Mn, Ce and Th, and S = Al₂O₃ or SiO₂, has been studied in cycloketonization of diethyl hexanodiate at the temperature range 573-698 K in a flow system. Only moderate yields of cyclopentanone (<35%) were achieved. The highest yields of ketone were obtained over MnO₂/Al₂O₃ and MnO₂/SiO₂ catalysts - 33 and 27%, respectively. ThO₂ containing catalysts were the most active, whereby ester transformations were detected below 573 K. In the presence of all catalysts the formation of the main product was accompanied by various amounts of 2-ethylcyclopentanone, cyclopent-2-en-1-one, cyclopentene, 2-cyclopentylidenecyclopentanone and numerous unidentified by-products.