Abstract
The synthesis of methyl acetoacetate (MAA) by methoxycarbonylation of acetone with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was carried out in the presence of MgO and alkali-promoted MgO catalysts. From among Li, Na, K, and Cs, potassium was found to be the most effective promoter to improve the activity of MgO. The effect of K/MgO with variable content of K was also investigated, and the individual catalysts were characterised by the XRD, BET, SEM, CO2-TPD, and in situ CO2 IR techniques. The results showed that the addition of a small amount of K (1.97 mass %) could promote MAA formation, but a higher K loading caused a decrease in the yield of MAA, which might result from particle agglomeration and the presence of stable potassium carbonates. In situ FTIR experiments of co-adsorbed reactants indicated that the reaction probably proceeded via abstraction of Hα from acetone by base sites.
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Wu, D., Chen, Z. Synthesis of methyl acetoacetate from acetone and dimethyl carbonate with alkali-promoted MgO catalysts. Chem. Pap. 64, 758–766 (2010). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11696-010-0068-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11696-010-0068-9