Production of alkynols and alkynediols using mullite-like siliceous catalyst carrier

Claim 1

IN A METHOD OF PRODUCING A CATALYST FOR USE IN THE PRODUCTION OF ALKYNOLS BY REACTING A CARBONYL COMPOUND WITH ACETYLENE HYDROCARBONS, WHICH METHOD COMPRISES DEPOSITING COPPER OXIDE ON A SILICEOUS CARRIER AND HEATING THE THUS INPREGNATED SILICEOUS CARRIER TO A TEMPERATURE WITHIN THE RANGE OF 400 TO 800*C. FOR SUCH A PERIOD OF TIME THAT COPPER SILICATE IS FORMED IN THE SURFACE LAYER AND THE THUS HEAT-TREATED CATALYST WHEN TREATED WITH ACETYLENE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE, DOES NOT FORM RED COPPER ACETYLIDE THE IMPROVEMNET WHICH COMPRISES EMPLOYING THEREIN A SILICEOUS CARRIER PREPARED BY FORMING A MIXTURE CONSISTING OF ESSENTAILLY OF KAOLIN AND A WATERSOLUBLE SYNTHETIC ORGANIC POLYMERIC BINDER INTO A SHAPED BODY, HEATING SAID BODY IN THE PRESENCE OF AIR AT TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 800 TO 850*C. TO BURN OUT SAID BINDER AND CONVERT THE KAOLIN TO THE MONTMORILLONITE, AND THEN HEATING SAID BODY TO TEMPERATURES OF ABOUT 1000 TO 1200*C. TO PRODUCE A POROUS, MULLITE-LIKE SILICEOUS CARRIER HAVING A MULLITE X-RAY PATTERN.