The catalytic condensation of ω-phenyl-substituted alcohols in the presence of an iron oxide

The results of gas-phase conversion of ω-phenyl-substituted alcohols (benzyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol, 3-phenyl-1-propanol) and their equimolar mixtures with primary normal alcohol (1-octanol) are presented. Reactions were carried out at atmospheric pressure in the presence of an iron catalyst in the temperature range of 568–673 K and load of 2.0 h−1. 2-Phenylethanol and 3-phenyl-1-propanol undergo dehydrogenation to aldehydes and condensation to esters. At higher temperatures symmetrical ketones containing ω-phenyl group as substituent are formed. Mixtures of these alcohols with 1-octanol give among others asymmetrical aromatic-aliphatic ketones.