Process for isomerizing cycloalkenol to cycloalkanone

A process for isomerizing a beta-, gamma-unsaturated cycloalkenol to a cycloalkanone, wherein said cycloalkenol is contaminated with an acid-forming moiety capable of causing dehydration of said cycloalkenol, which comprises:

• forming a reaction mixture of said cycloalkenol, a catalytic amount of copper chromite catalyst, and between about 0.01% and 10% by weight of said cycloalkenol of a base which has a solubility in said reaction mixture not substantially above about 5 millimoles per gram of said catalyst, said base rendering said moiety substantially incapable of causing said dehydration,
• heating said reaction mixture at about 150.degree. to 300.degree. C. until said cycloalkanone is formed;
• and
• recovering said cycloalkanone from said reaction mixture.