Practical preparation of methyl isobutyl ketone by stepwise isopropylation reaction of acetone.

[Display omitted] • Isopropylation of acetone with isopropanol to produce MIBK as the neat result. • Iisopropanol as the safe hydrogen source instead of H 2. • Solvent, by-product and catalyst all recyclable & reusable. • Green and practical procedures that generate no wastes. A stepwise isopropylation reaction of acetone is developed for preparation of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) through acetone condensation and a recoverable Pt/C-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of mesityl oxide (MO) with isopropanol (IPA). Almost quantitative MO conversion (up to 99.9%) and excellent MIBK selectivity (up to 99.3%) could be achieved by the method. Since IPA can be obtained from propane, a cheap petrochemical product, the by-product acetone (AT) generated in the reduction of MO could be easily recovered and reused in the preparation of MO, and the Pt/C catalyst could be recycled and reused, this H 2 - and waste-free reaction may be a green and practical method for preparation of the useful fine chemical MIBK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]