Synthesis optimization and kinetics for ketalization of cyclohexanone with ethylene glycol in a zeolite membrane reactor

Ketalization of cyclohexanone with ethylene glycol was investigated in a pervaporation (PV) membrane reactor by using high-flux zeolite T membrane and zeolite H-β catalyst. A kinetic model was built for the PV-aided ketalization based on the assumption of second-order reaction, and the experimental data were compared with the model predictions. The molar ratio of cyclohexanone to ethylene glycol and catalyst amount for the reaction occurring in membrane reactor were optimized, meanwhile, the reusability of zeolite T membrane and the solid catalyst in the ketalization were investigated. The conversion of cyclohexanone increased from 64.3% to almost completion due to water removal from the reaction system by the aid of PV process. The reaction could be carried out under the close theoretical ratios of reagents, so that the reaction atom economy was enhanced. Zeolite T membrane was stable in reaction mixture and showed a good reusability for the reaction.