Atochem

Christophe Legrand

Andre Mortreux

Francis P Petit

Yves Castanet

Saturated carboxylic esters are produced from alkyl formate and an olefin, without the presence of substantial amounts of carbon monoxide, at a temperature of 120.degree. to 280.degree. C., under a pressure of 1 to 3,000 bars, in the presence of a catalyst based on ruthenium coordinated by ligands selected from carbon monoxide, halogen atoms and amines, and in the presence of an amide as a solvent. The catalyst is selected from catalysts consisting essentially of RuCl.sub.3.3H.sub.2 O; catalysts consisting essentially of the combination of an RuCl.sub.3.3H.sub.2 O together with at least one stabilizer selected from iodine, covalent iodides and quaternary ammonium halides; catalysts comprising Ru.sub.3 (CO).sub.12 together with at least one stabilizer such as is mentioned above; and catalysts selected from RuI.sub.3, [RuCl.sub.2 (CO).sub.3 ].sub.2, Ru(NH.sub.3).sub.6 Cl.sub.3 and [Ru(NH.sub.3).sub.5 Cl]Cl.sub.2, comprising, where appropriate, in addition, at least one stabilizer such as is mentioned above.

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Mons En Baroeul, France

Christophe Legrand