Organic catalyst for non-aqueous aldol condensation

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a process. In an embodiment, the process includes providing a first blend composed of nonanals, C8 olefins and C7-C9 alkanes. The process includes adding, to the first blend, a component selected from C4 aldehyde, C5 aldehyde, and combinations thereof to form a non-aqueous reaction mixture having an initial water content from 0 wt % to 10 wt % water. The process includes introducing an organic base catalyst to the non-aqueous reaction mixture and heating the non-aqueous reaction mixture to a temperature from 30° C. to 100° C. and cross-aldol condensing the non-aqueous reaction mixture. The process includes forming a cross-aldol product composed of a component selected from C8 enals, C10 enals, C13 enals, C14 enals, and C18 enals, and combinations thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.