Vapor phase carbonylation process using iridium-gold co-catalysts
AssigneeEastman Chemical Company
InventorsJoseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a vapor phase carbonylation process useful for producing carboxylic acids, esters and mixtures thereof from lower aliphatic alcohols, ethers, ester, and ester-alcohol mixtures. The vapor phase carbonylation process is characterized in that it utilizes a solid supported catalyst having an effective amount of iridium and gold associated with a solid support material.
Claims24
A process for the preparation of a carboxylic acid, a corresponding ester or a mixture thereof which comprises the steps of:
- (a) feeding a gaseous mixture comprising a reactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl alcohols, ethers and esters, and mixtures thereof and carbon monoxide to a carbonylation zone which (i) contains a supported catalyst comprising a catalytically effective amount of iridium and gold associated with a solid support material and (ii) is maintained under vapor-phase carbonylation conditions of temperature and pressure;
- and
- (b) recovering a gaseous product comprising a carboxylic acid, a corresponding ester or a mixture thereof from the carbonylation zone.
A process for the preparation of acetic acid, methyl acetate or a mixture thereof which comprises the steps of:
- (a) feeding a gaseous mixture comprising methanol, carbon monoxide, and a halide promoter selected from chlorine, bromine, iodine and compounds thereof to a carbonylation zone which (i) contains a supported catalyst comprising a catalytically effective amount of iridium and gold associated with a solid support material and (ii) is maintained under vapor-phase carbonylation conditions of temperature and pressure;
- and
- (b) recovering a gaseous product comprising acetic acid, methyl acetate or a mixture thereof from the carbonylation zone;
- wherein none of the compounds present in the carbonylation zone exist in a mobile liquid phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.