A single step synthesis of 2-phenylpyridine from acetophenone, ethanol, formaldehyde and ammonia over molecular sieve catalystsIICT Communication No. 4718.

The vapor phase cyclization of acetophenone, ethanol, formaldehyde and ammonia to 2-phenylpyridine was carried out over HZSM-5, Hβ,HY and modified HY catalysts at 400 °C. The catalytic activity followed the order: HZSM-5 < Hβ < HY. The influence of catalyst modification, temperature, molar ratio of feed, weight hour space velocity and time on stream on the catalytic activity and selectivity for the cyclization product are investigated. The effect of pore size of the catalyst and acidity of modified zeolites on cyclization activity is discussed. The maximum yield of 2-phenylpyridine was obtained over 3 wt% cobalt-modified HY zeolite.