Reduced Copper Catalyzed Conversion of Primary Alcohols into Esters and Ketones

Vapor phase reactions of a mixture of two types of primary alcohols to esters and ketones over a reduced copper catalyst have been investigated. The reactions between primary alcohols and propionaldehyde have also been investigated. The effects of the molar ratio of the reactants and the reaction temperature on the yields of esters, ketones, and aldehydes have been examined. A mixture of ethyl alcohol and propyl alcohol when passed over the catalyst, the main products have been found to be propyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl propionate, ethyl propionate, ethyl methyl ketone, diethyl ketone, acetone, acetaldehyde, and propionaldehyde. The formation of the ester and the ketone may be presented as follows: (Remark: Graphics omitted.)