Silica-supported sodium phosphates show excellent activity and stability in the dehydration of 2,3-butanediol.
Product pattern depends on contact times and Na/P ratio.
For a long contact time 1,3-butadiene and 2-butanone are dominating; for a short one—3-butene-2-ol and 2-butanone.
The highest (3–3.8) {butadiene+3-butene-2-ol}/2-butanone ratios are observed for the catalysts having Na/P ratios within 1.8–2.
Balance of the acidic and basic sites depends on Na/P ratio. The highest values of the acid/base density ratio correspond to 1.5 < Na/P < 2.