Research on hydration of phenylacetylene assisted with additives in near-critical water

The hydration of phenylacetylene in near-critical water, assisted with additives (NaHSO4, ZnCl2, FeCl3), has been successfully conducted with temperature and residence time ranges of 220–300 °C and 60–180 min, respectively. The results showed the catalytic ability is FeCl3 > ZnCl2 > NaHSO4. The maximum yield of product acetophenone was 96.68% at 260 °C, 120 min. Based on the results found, a possible mechanism of hydration of phenylacetylene in near-critical water was proposed.