National Distillers and Chemical Corporation

Quantum Chemical Corporation

Millennium Petrochemicals Inc.

David W Smith

Ronnie M Hanes

Julian Feldman

John A Scheben

Steve M Augustine

Richard W Goetz

Steven D Landau

Steven M Augustine

Michael D Evans

Lawrence D Meixsel

An improved process for producing high activity and high selectivity supported palladium-gold catalysts is provided. The process involves calcining the support impregnated with a palladium salt and gold salt in a non-reducing atmosphere and at a temperature ranging from 100.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. prior to reducing the metals. Catalysts of the invention are useful for the production of vinyl acetate in the vapor phase by reaction of ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen.

Process for the production of supported palladium-gold catalysts

A method for pretreatment of a palladium-gold catalyst useful in the synthesis of vinyl acetate. A virgin catalyst, following reduction to the metallic palladium and gold, is first heated at elevated temperatures in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as air. The oxidizing agent is withdrawn and an inert gas such as nitrogen is introduced. The catalyst is heated again at a temperature up to 500.degree. C. in the presence of a reducing agent such as hydrogen or ethylene. Improvements in selectivity and yield are obtained.

Pretreatment of palladium-gold catalysts useful in vinyl acetate

A process is disclosed for the carbonylation of an organic compound selected from the group consisting of an olefin, an alcohol, an acid and an ester. In this process the organic compound is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a Group VIII metal-containing catalyst. The liquid carbonylation product solution of this reaction is conveyed to a separation zone maintained at a lower total pressure than is the pressure in the reaction zone. Simultaneously with the conveyance of the liquid product solution to the separation zone is the introduction therein of a carbon monoxide-containing gaseous stream, the carbon monoxide therein contributing a partial pressure of up to 30 psia of the total pressure in said separation zone. A portion of the liquid carbonylation product solution is flashed and removed from the separation zone. The unflashed liquid carbonylation product solution is recycled back into the reaction zone.

Catalytic carbonylation process

A method for pretreatment of a palladium-gold catalyst useful in the synthesis of vinyl acetate. A virgin catalyst, following reduction to the metallic palladium and gold, is first heated at elevated temperatures in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as air. The oxidizing agent is withdrawn and an inert gas such as nitrogen is introduced. The catalyst is heated against at a temperature up to 500.degree. C. in the presence of a reducing agent such as hydrogen or ethylene. Improvement in selectivity and yield are obtained.

A process for making dihydrocarbyl carbonates is disclosed. In this process an alcohol having the structural formula R-OH, where R is alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl, is reacted with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a heterogeneous copper-containing, halogen-free catalyst.

Process for making dihydrocarbyl carbonate

A process for preparing acetic acid and acetates comprising reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of the catalyst system comprising a ruthenium compound, a cobalt compound, and an alkali metal halide activator.

Process for the production of acetic acid from synthesis gas

A process is provided for reacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of halogen-containing ruthenium carbonyl complexes as catalysts to produce acetaldehyde and/or ethanol.

Manufacture of oxygenated compounds

Process of reacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of halogen-containing rhodium catalysts to produce acetaldehyde and ethanol.

Process of reacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of halogen-containing ruthenium catalysts to produce acetaldehyde and ethanol.

Acetaldehyde and ethanol are produced by the catalyzed reaction of formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and hydrogen using a halogen-containing rhodium catalyst.

Rhodium catalyzed process for acetaldehyde and ethanol

Acetaldehyde and ethanol are produced by the reaction of formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and hydrogen using a halogen-containing ruthenium catalyst.

Ruthenium catalyzed process for acetaldehyde and ethanol

Nitriles, such as acrylonitrile, are converted to the corresponding amides by a catalytic hydrolysis employing as the heterogeneous catalyst, the reaction product of a rhodium compound and a thiophosphite supported on a solid support.

Hydrolysis of nitriles

Nitriles, such as acrylonitrile, are converted to the corresponding amides by a catalytic liquid phase hydrolysis employing as the homogeneous catalyst, the reaction product of a rhodium compound and a thiophosphite.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

David W Smith