CATALYST SELECTION FOR THE LACTONIZATION OF 1,4-BUTANEDIOL

Chromite catalysts have been studied with and without modifiers for la ctonization of 1,4-butanediol. The reaction on majority of the catalys t proceeds giving rise to cyclodehydration product, tetrahydrofuran (T HF) mainly rather than cyclodehydrogenation product of gamma-butyrolac tone (gamma-BL). The lactonization of 1,4-butanediol increases when th e zinc chromite catalyst is modified with Pt metal. Few methods are di scussed regarding the preparation and modification of the catalysts an d their effects in selectivity from THF to gamma-BL.