Abstract: A method for preparing pinacolone is provided. Raw materials including 2-methyl-2-butene, hydrochloric acid and formaldehyde are reacted in the presence of a catalyst to produce pinacolone. The catalyst is a single lanthanide Lewis acid, a compounded lanthanide Lewis acid or a lanthanide metal oxide soluble in hydrochloric acid. The lanthanide Lewis acid is lanthanum chloride, cerium chloride, praseodymium chloride, neodymium chloride, erbium chloride, holmium chloride, dysprosium chloride or thulium chloride. The method is performed through a continuous two-step reaction. In the first reaction, 2-methyl-2-butene and hydrochloric acid are reacted to form an intermediate, which undergoes a second reaction with formaldehyde in the presence of the catalyst to produce pinacolone.

Abstract: A method for preparing pinacolone is provided. Raw materials including isopentane, hydrochloric acid and formaldehyde are reacted in the presence of a catalyst to produce pinacolone. The catalyst is a single lanthanide Lewis acid, a compounded lanthanide Lewis acid or a lanthanide metal oxide soluble in hydrochloric acid. The lanthanide Lewis acid is lanthanum chloride, cerium chloride, praseodymium chloride, neodymium chloride, erbium chloride, holmium chloride, dysprosium chloride or thulium chloride. The method is performed through a continuous two-step reaction. In the first reaction, isopentene and hydrochloric acid are reacted to form an intermediate, which undergoes a second reaction with formaldehyde in the presence of the catalyst to produce pinacolone.