Hossein Bayahia, Elena Kozhevnikova and Ivan Kozhevnikov
Chem. Commun., 2013,49, 3842-3844
DOI:
10.1039/C3CC41161C,
Communication
Amorphous silica and crystalline silicalite (MFI structure) are demonstrated to be active and environmentally benign catalysts for propionic acid ketonisation at 450–500 °C to form 3-pentanone. The silicalite is particularly efficient, and its ketonisation selectivity is increased by base modification probably through generation of silanol nests.