The oxidizing condensation of normal alcohols C-4 to C-12 in the gas p
hase over Fe3O4 catalyst containing Cr, Si and K oxides was studied. T
he reactions were carried out in a continuous process at atmospheric p
ressure. Initially the alcohols undergo dehydrogenation to aldehydes a
nd esters, and at higher temperatures symmetric ketones containing 2n
- 1 atoms of carbon in a molecule are formed. A mechanism for the reac
tion is proposed.