Catalyst for the production of methyl methacrylate

Abstract

A catalyst for oxidative esterification of methacrolein to methyl methacrylate comprises a support having an average diameter of at least 0.8 mm. The support is selected from an oxide of silicon, a carbide of silicon, a metal oxide, and a metal carbide. The catalyst further comprises nickel oxide and gold particles disposed on the support. The gold particles and have an average diameter of less than 12 nm and a standard deviation of +/−4 nm. A method for preparing methyl methacrylate from methacrolein and methanol using the catalyst is also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.