| abstract |
The invention relates to a method of producing carbonyl compounds, more particularly C 2 -C 4 ketones and aldehydes. The method is based on the gas-phase oxidation by nitrous oxide of C 2 -C 4 alkane-olefin mixtures, such as a butane-butylene fraction or a propane-propylene fraction, obtained by thermal and/or catalytic cracking, to produce C 2 -C 4 ketones and aldehydes. The process is carried out under continuous flow conditions at a temperature of 300-550° C. and pressure of 1-100 atm, without prior isolation of individual olefins from the fractionation products and in the absence of a catalyst. The process provides for high productivity, high overall selectivity for ketones and aldehydes, and explosion-safe operation. |