CATALYTIC BEHAVIOR OF MACROPOROUS RESINS IN CATALYTIC PROCESSES WITH WATER PRODUCTION - ACTIVATION AND INHIBITION EFFECTS IN THE KINETICS OF THE SELF-CONDENSATION OF CYCLOHEXANONE

Two kinetic equations of the self-condensation of cyclohexanone with Amberlyst-15 are given. The rate of disappearing of cyclohexanone strongly depends on the amount of water in the reacting medium. If the water concentration is greater than 0.3 mol/L, the rate is r=k1C(A)2/(1+k2C(w)2), where r is expressed in mol/(min g(dry resin)) and C(A) and C(w) are the molar concentrations of cyclohexanone and water, respectively. Nevertheless, when water is being continuously removed from the system (C(w) ranging between 0.1 and 0.2 mol/L), the kinetic equation is r=kC(A)2. The preexponential factors and the activation energies of the kinetic constants are given. The experimental curves of conversion vs time and of evolution of the water content inside the resin were used to explain the activation-inhibition effects of water on the catalytic activity of the resin.