Manufacture of Aliphatic Ketones

1,192,570. Saturated aliphatic ketones. EASTMAN KODAK CO. 21 Aug., 1967 [19 Aug., 1966], No. 38340/67. Heading C2C. Saturated aliphatic ketones are prepared by passing a gaseous and/or vaporous mixture containing water and a saturated aliphatic aldehyde having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms in the alkyl group thereof or a mixture of such saturated aliphatic aldehydes over a solid catalyst comprising one or more elements having an atomic number from 59 to 71 inclusive each combined with at least one other element at a temperature and for a contact time such that a ketone is formed. The catalyst preferably comprises one or more oxides of the above elements or one or more compounds of the above elements that form oxides of the said elements on heating supported on activated alumina.