CATALYTIC CONVERSION OF ALCOHOLS .8. GALLIUM OXIDE AS A DEHYDRATION CATALYST

Gallia is a very selective dehydration catalyst for several primary, secondary, and tertiary acyclic alcohols. The alkene distribution from 2-ols with about 50% cis-2-, 30% 1-, and 20% trans-2-alkene resembles those obtained with alumina. For 2-methylcyclohexanols, the cis isomer is converted more rapidly than the trans isomer and a cis-trans isomerization of the alcohol does not occur. The alkenes from the cis and the trans isomers suggest that an anti elimination is a major reaction pathway in the conversion of 2-methylcyclohexanol. In general, gallia closely resembles alumina as an alcohol conversion catalyst. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.