Synthesis of 3-buten-2-one from 4-hydroxy-2-butanone over anatase-TiO2 catalyst

Dehydration of 4-hydroxy-2-butanone (HB) to 3-buten-2-one (MVK) was investigated. Anatase-TiO2 exhibited excellent activity for the dehydration of HB with 98.8 mol% MVK yield. The highest activity was obtained at 160 °C, and deactivation was rarely observed over anatase-TiO2. HB decomposes into propanone above 240 °C, and the MVK selectivity decreases with increasing temperature. High acidity of catalysts causes deactivation because of strong interaction between MVK and acid sites that induces polymerization. Weak acid sites are efficient for the dehydration of HB to MVK.