| abstract |
A secondary alcohol dissolved in a C12 to C20 paraffinic hydrocarbon substantially free of aromatics and of sulfur is dehydrogenated to the corresponding ketone at a temperature of 170 DEG -230 DEG C. in the presence of a catalyst of the Raney nickel type containing from 0.1 to 10% by weight of an additional metal consisting of copper, silver, gold, tin, lead, zinc, cadmium, indium or germanium, the ketone being preferably removed, as it is formed, from the reaction medium. A catalyst for use in the present process is provided. |