Selective hydrogenation of acetone to methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) over co-precipitated Ni/Al2O3 catalysts Original Research Article

Ni/Al2O3 catalysts have been prepared by the co-precipitation method and have been studied for acetone hydrogenation at atmospheric pressure in the temperature region 373–473 K. Effects of metal content, reaction temperature and flow rate of the feed on the conversion and product selectivity are reported. It is possible to selectively synthesize methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) or 2-propanol by varying experimental conditions. More than 95% selectivity towards MIBK is reported on 10 wt.-% Ni/Al2O3 catalyst at 373 K and at 1 atmosphere.