Synthesis of α-hydroxyketones from 1,2-diols over Cu-based catalyst

Synthesis of α-hydroxyketones from 1,2-diols over copper catalysts modified with ZnO, Al2O3 and ZrO2 was investigated. 1-Hydroxy-2-butanone was efficiently produced by the dehydrogenation of 1,2-butanediol over Cu-Zn-Zr-Al-O catalysts: the highest activity was obtained at the molar ratio of CuO:ZnO:ZrO2:Al2O3 = 12:1:2:2. Several α-hydroxyketones were produced by the dehydrogenation of 1,2-diols with carbon chain of C3-C6.