Transformation of an alcohol in the presence of a ketone as a model reaction to characterize the acidity and the basicity of oxide catalysts

The reaction of cyclopentanol in the presence of cyclohexanone at 350°C over amorphous solids or zeolites led to alkenes and hydrogen transfer products. It was shown that these products were formed respectively on the acid sites and on the basic sites of the catalysts. Consequently, this reaction made it possible to estimate at the same time the acid and basic properties of the catalysts.