Synthesis of 2-propylheptanol from 1-pentanal in a single pot using bi-functional ruthenium hydrotalcite catalyst in batch and flow reactors

Ruthenium containing hydrotalcite (Ru-HT) has been synthesized and used as a bi-functional catalyst in batch and continuous flow fixed bed reactor for aldol condensation of 1-pentanal followed by hydrogenation of aldol condensation product in a single pot without changing the reaction conditions. Activated Ru-HT catalyst shows higher conversion of 1-pentanal (83%) than as-synthesized Ru-HT sample (59% conversion of 1-pentanal) for aldol condensation of 1-pentanal. Higher catalytic activity of activated Ru-HT catalyst is observed under solvent free conditions as compared to methanol as the solvent.