Catalytic hydrogen transfer over MgO, VI dehydrogenation of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol

The dehydrogenation of 2-ethyl-l-hexanol to 2-ethylhexanal by hydrogen exchange with aliphatic aldehydes has been studied over MgO. As hydrogen acceptors acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde and isobutyraldehyde were used. Reaction with propionaldehyde was found to be an effective synthetic route for 2-ethylhexanal preparation, whereas during reactions with acetaldehyde and isobutyraldehyde a gradual catalyst deactivation vs. time-on-stream was observed.Part V in Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal., 78, 631 (1993) Fine Chemicals III), and references therein.