Kinetic investigations of a ketonization reaction using reaction calorimetry

The reactor calorimetric technique was employed to study a homogeneous, liq uid-phase ketonization reaction used in fine chemical syntheses, where an u nsaturated alcohol and unsaturated ether condense to form an unsaturated ke tone with higher molecular weight. The experiments were carried out in a ca lorimetric reactor (RC-1) and the data obtained allowed the determination o f reaction heat flow versus time, overall reaction enthalpy, and reaction c ourse for experiments at different temperatures. Using the latter data, the conversion versus time behavior was determined. These data were modeled as suming a pseudo-first-order kinetics and an Arrhenius-type temperature depe ndence of the specific reaction rate. Comparison between these results and the usual concentration versus time experimental data obtained with a diffe rent technique was satisfactory.