Aldol condensation and hydrogenation process using a catalyst of nickel and cobalt together with zinc oxide and another metal of groups VIII, IIb, IIIa, IVa and Va of the periodic table

In a process for the manufacture of a saturated carbonyl compound by aldol condensation of a low molecular weight aldehyde or ketone of not less than 2 or 3 carbon atoms, respectively, with itself or with another such low molecular weight aldehyde or ketone and hydrogenation of the aldol condensation product at above 150.degree. C. in the liquid phase and in the presence of a catalyst, the improvement which comprises:

• carrying out said condensation and hydrogenation with said catalyst consisting essentially of the components:
• (a) nickel and cobalt compounds;
• (b) zinc oxide;
• and
• (c) a catalytically active amount of a compound of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, gallium, indium, thallium, germanium, tin, lead, cadmium and mercury,
• said components being applied to a chemically inert carrier and said components being obtained in a catalytically active form by drying the catalyst, calcining at about 520.degree. C. and reducing with hydrogen at about 300.degree. C.