Production of 1,3-butadiene in one step catalytic dehydration of 2,3-butanediol

Catalysts able to selectively dehydrate 2,3-butanediol into butadiene have been designed. These catalysts, based on rare-earth orthophosphates showed that 58% selectivity to butadiene could be obtained at total conversion at only 300 degrees C, and were relatively stable. While the deactivation could be delayed by addition of water to the gas feeds, it could not be avoided and a regeneration was necessary. This regeneration was achieved by a simple heat treatment under air for a few hours at 450 degrees C. All results showed that Lewis acid sites corresponding to the rare earth cations are involved in the dehydration of 2,3-butanediol into butadiene. This dehydration occurs with the intermediate formation of 3-buten-2ol, probably over acid-base concerted sites and the subsequent dehydration of 3BDOL to butadiene over weak Bronsted acid sites. All types of sites appear present on the catalysts surface and distributed in a relatively optimal way.