Copper-ceria mesocellular foam silica as effective catalyst for the reductive condensation of acetone to methyl isobutyl ketone

Copper-containing materials based on Ce- and Ca-Nb-mesocellular foam (MCF) silica supports were prepared, characterized and applied as catalysts for gas-phase, reductive condensation of acetone to produce methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). The properties of the materials as well as the interaction of metal species and their role in the catalytic process were examined by nitrogen physisorption, XRD, XPS, CO₂-TPD, H₂-TPR and chemisorption of NO and pyridine combined with FTIR. A synergetic interaction of Cu²⁺ , Cu⁰ and CeO₂ species incorporated in the MCF support allowed obtaining a Cu/Ce-MCF catalyst yielding 34% of acetone conversion with over 90% MIBK selectivity at 250˚C, and the catalyst remained stable during operation for 24 h though with lower catalyst activity but the same selectivity. The obtained catalytic performance is superior to that of Cu/HAP and similar palladium containing-catalyst previously reported in literature.