Guerbet reaction

The process is of interest because it converts simple inexpensive feedstocks into more valuable products.

They are of commercial interest to as components of cosmetics, plasticizers, and related applications.

Catalysts such as Raney Nickel are required to facilitate the hydrogen transfer steps.

[1] While the Guerbet reaction is traditionally (and commercially) focused on fatty alcohols, it has been investigated for the dimerization of ethanol to butanol.

These intermediates then react in an aldol condensation to the allyl aldehyde which the hydrogenation catalyst then reduces to the alcohol.