PURPOSE: To produce the title substance by synthesizing p-tolyl-sec.-butyl ketone from toluene, n-butene and CO, hydrogenating the CO group, then cyclodehydrogenating the resultant compound in the presence of an Al oxide catalyst containing lead and/or indium.
CONSTITUTION: p-Tolyl-sec.-butyl ketone is synthesized from toluene, n-butene and CO and hydrogenated to produce p-tolyl-sec.-butylcarbinol, 2-methyl-1-(p- tolyl)-butane and 2-methyl-1-(p-tolyl)-butene or a mixture thereof. The resultant hydrogenation product is then cyclodehydrogenated in the presence of an Al oxide catalyst containing lead and/or indium to synthesize the title substance. A catalyst composed of lead oxide, indium oxide and aluminum oxide is preferred as the above-mentioned catalyst. The aforementioned method is useful as an inexpensive method for producing the title high-purity substance.
TAKAGAWA MINORU
ABE TAKAFUMI
