Catalysts and processes for the manufacture of vinyl acetate

Abstract

A shell impregnated catalyst for use in the production of vinyl acetate from ethylene, acetic acid and an oxygen containing gas is provided. The catalyst has a productivity of greater than 661 grams of vinyl acetate per hour per liter of catalyst at 150.degree. C. and consists essentially of: (1) a catalyst support having a particle diameter from about 3 to about 7 mm and a pore volume of 0.2 to 1.5 ml per gram (2) palladium and gold distributed in the outermost 1.0 mm thick layer of the catalyst support particles, and (3) from about 3.5 to 9.5% by weight of potassium acetate. The catalyst is characterized by having a gold to palladium weight ratio in the range 0.60 to 1.25.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.