Preparation of alkyl carboxylates

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention is concerned with a novel method for preparation of alkylcarboxylates, and particularly .alpha.-methylalkyl carboxylates, by reaction of carboxylic acids with olefinic compounds in the presence of a particular type of crystalline zeolite catalyst.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#The following examples are provided to illustrate the process of this invention and to aid those in the art in the understanding thereof, but clearly should not be taken as presenting undue limitations thereon:

#One gram of HZSM-:12 zeolite (SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 mole ratio 70) was placed in a 300 cc stainless steel autoclave equipped with a magnetically driven stirrer. The catalyst had been ground to a powder and calcined prior to use. Added 100 ml of a mixture of acetic acid and 1-octene (molar ratio=4/1) and heated to temperature. Samples were withdrawn periodically through a dip tube and analyzed. Results are summarized in TABLE I.

#TABLE I ______________________________________ REACTION OF 1-OCTENE AND ACETIC ACID OVER HZSM--12 C.sub.18 H.sub.17 OAc Isomer Reaction Temper- Yield of Distribution Time ature Pressure C.sub.8 OAc 2 3 4 ______________________________________ 3.5 hr 150.degree. C. 160 psig 5.9 wt % 96.9% 2.9% 0.2% 5.6 hr 200.degree. C. 240 psig 23.9 wt % 94.1% 5.5% 0.4% 73.2 hr 200.degree. C. 230 psig 32.2 wt % 91.4% 8.1% 0.5% ______________________________________