Cyclopentanone as an Alternative Linking Reactant for Heterogeneously Catalyzed Furfural Aldol Condensation

The use of cyclopentanone, instead of acetone, in the synthesis of diesel precursors by furfural aldol condensation is proposed. This reaction is catalyzed by a magnesium-zirconium mixed oxide. To optimize the C-15 selectivity, different temperatures (293, 303, 313, and 323 K) and initial furfural/cyclopentanone ratios (1: 1, 3: 1, 5: 1, and 10: 1) were tested. Under the optimum conditions, yields for the desired C-15 adduct are higher than 60% in less than 4 h under mild conditions (303 K).