INTERMEDIATES AND PRODUCTS IN CATALYTIC VAPOUR-PHASE DEHYDRATION AND AMMONOLYSIS OF 2-HYDROXYMETHYLTETRAHYDROFURAN OVER ALUMINA

Reactions of 2-methylenetetrahydrofuran, 2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran and 2-hydroxymethyltetrahydrofuran in the presence and absence of ammonia over an alumina catalyst have been compared within the temperature range 300-480°. 2,3-Dihydro-4H-pyran and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridine have been isolated as products at low contact times in the synthesis of pyridine and piperidine by the ammonolysis of 2-hydroxymethyltetrahydrofuran.