PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ALPHA-HYDROXYKETONES, BY THE CONDENSATION OF ALDEHYDES IN THE PRESENCE OF A THIAZOLIUM CONDENSATION CATALYST

摘要

This invention relates to a process for condensing aldehydes to alpha-hydroxyketones in a liquid system containing an aldehyde and an active condensation catalyst formed by the abstraction of HX from a thiazolium salt in which X is the anion. The reaction is carried out in the absence of a base (other than the active catalyst) and the anion X. The catalyst is rendered free of the undesirable base and the anion X because these are the cause of premature deactivation of the catalyst.