A new route for the synthesis of 3,5-lutidine over modified ZSM-5 catalysts Original Research Article

The reaction of propanol, formaldehyde and methanol with ammonia was carried out over modified HZSM-5 catalysts, to get 3,5-lutidine selectively. Typically over LaZSM-5 (Si/Al=15), at 400°C the selectivity of 3,5-lutidine is 72.2% at 88.6% conversion of propanol. The effects of temperature, WHSV and mole ratio were studied in the synthesis of 3,5-lutidine over LaZSM-5 catalyst. Our studies have established that pyridine, picolines and lutidines can be synthesized from C1–C4 alcohols and aldehydes in the presence of ammonia via dehydrocyclization and dehydrogenation.