Activity and Selectivity of an Amphoteric ZrO.sub.2-TiO.sub.2 Catalyst in the Conversion of Dihydroxyacetone into Ethyl Lactate and Lactic Acid

A 96% conversion of dihydroxyacetone dissolved in aqueous ethanol mixtures was achieved on an amphoteric ZnO.sub.2-TiO.sub.2 catalyst in a flow reactor at 140 °C and 1.0 MPa with identical selectivity relative to the two reaction products, lactic acid and ethyl lactate. Variation of the ethanol : water ratio significantly affects the activity and selectivity of the catalyst. The maximum catalyst efficiency was achieved using an aqueous solution containing 65 mass % ethanol.