Liquid-phase synthesis of methyl isobutyl ketone over bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts comprising cross-linked perfluorinated sulfonic acid Aquivion polymers and supported Pd nanoparticles

The solvent-free hydrogenation reaction of acetone over bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts, comprising cross-linked perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) resins and supported Pd nanoparticles, was investigated in the liquid phase under batch conditions. A systematic study was performed by analyzing separately the effect of the main reaction parameters on the reaction outputs. Acetone conversion, selectivity and productivity to methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) were measured as a function of the reaction temperature, the amount of catalyst, the Pd loading, the H2 pressure, the reaction time and the cross-linkage of the polymeric support. Reproducible trends were observed that could be explained in terms of properties of the catalyst, conversion path and kinetics. Best compromise results between selectivity (92 %) and productivity (37.0 mmolMIBK gcat-1 h-1) at 19.7% acetone conversion were obtained for the 0.26Pd@X-link-08-PW79 catalyst, based on 0.8 % cross-linked PFSA support and 0.26% wt Pd content.