The catalytic hydrogenation of 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone to 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinol was studied in this paper. We concentrated our attention to various catalysts for this reaction. Raney Ni(4) was found to be the best one for the reaction. The mechanism of the hydrogenation of 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone is also discussed. The reaction was run in a fluidized-bed tower reactor. Other related parameters were investigated. Thus, the optimized conditions were established as follows: the concentration of 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone, 30%; solvent, 20% isopropanol in water; catalyst quantity, 20% (w/w); reaction period, 2h; yield, 97.3% (m.p. 130.0-131.0℃).

Key words: PIPERIDINONE, CATALYST, CATALYTIC HYDROGENATION