Synthesis of acetals or ketals over zeolite Hβ catalyst

The acetalization and ketalization of various aldehydes or ketones, i.e., cyclohexanone, butanone, acetone, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, isobutyraldehyde, valeraldehyde, isopentyl aldehyde, octyl aldehyde, and benzaldehyde, with glycol on zeolite Hβ catalyst were studied. Effects of reaction conditions, (reaction time, mole ratio of aldehydes or ketones to glycol, and catalyst dosage), on reaction were investigated. Zeolite Hβ was an efficient catalyst for acetalization and ketalization with high conversion and selectivity under mild reaction conditions. Optimal reaction conditions were: mole ratio of aldehydes or ketones to glycol 1:1.2, catalyst dosage (1 mole aldehydes or ketones) 2 g, and reaction time 2 hr. Under optimal reaction conditions, conversion of aldehydes or ketones and selectivity of acetals or ketals were > 90 and 98%, respectively.