2,3 butanediol (BDO) is a versatile synthetic intermediate for making jet-range distillate fuel or value-added chemicals. Direct conversion of BDO to fuels using known methods is not feasible because catalysts are quickly fouled and lose activity.  

A successful indirect conversion to fuels via methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) or 2-butanol is presented here. In this process, 90% aqueous BDO is initially dehydrated to MEK, which is then hydrogenated to 2-butanol in high yield using a single process step.

2-butanol is separately converted to aromatics or linear and branched olefins over an H-ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst.  At 250 C, the zeolite treatment affords C5 to C12 olefins and, at 300 C, a mixture of aromatics and olefins. At 400 C, only aromatics are produced.  Hydrotreating the olefins produced at 250 C will provide a jet-range distillate fuel.