Kinetics of furfural aldol condensation with acetone

Furfural condensation with acetone has been studied over hydrotalcite materials exploring the influence of temperature, furfural to acetone ratio and catalyst loading. Concentration profiles exhibiting limiting conversion values depending on the catalyst amounts along with thermodynamic calculations clearly demonstrating absence of any thermodynamic restrictions point out on catalyst deactivation, which is more pronounced at lower catalyst concentrations. Deactivation is more likely influencing the first step of aldol condensation, rather than subsequent dehydration. A kinetic model has been developed which included catalyst deactivation. Kinetic modelling confirmed an adequate description of the experimental data with the advanced model.