Direct hydrogenation of carboxylic acids to alcohol and esters
AssigneeCelanese Corporation
InventorJames L. McGinnis
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Abstract
This invention provides an improved process for direct hydrogenation of a carboxylic acid to its corresponding alcohol with synthesis gas in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst comprising a ruthenium compound and a Lewis Acid metal halide.
Claims14
A process for direct hydrogenation of a carboxylic acid to the corresponding alcohol and formation of a corresponding ester which consists essentially of reacting a C.sub.2 -C.sub.30 carboxylic acid with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a liquid phase medium at a temperature between about 100.degree.-350.degree. C. and a pressure between about 200-10,000 psi in the presence of a soluble catalyst comprising a ruthenium compound and a Lewis Acid metal halide or boron halide to yield a product comprising an ester of the carboxylic acid and its corresponding alcohol.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.