Atlantic Richfield Company

Eva M Beals

John F White

Wilfred P Shum

Roger A Grey

A novel method of converting alkanoic acids, such as isobutyric acid, to alpha-beta unsaturated acids, such as methacrylic acid, is disclosed which exhibits a higher degree of selectivity than those vapor phase oxydehydration methods heretofore known to the art. The preferred method comprises contacting a Dawson structure phosphomolybdic acid catalyst with isobutyric acid under specified reaction conditions to achieve a high selectivity for methacrylic acid.

High selectivity process for vapor phase oxydehydrogenation of alkanoic

A process for producing primary alcohols from terminal epoxides having a mono-substituted epoxy ring and having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms per molecule which process comprises contacting the epoxide and hydrogen gas with Raney cobalt catalyst under vapor phase conditions in a hydrogenation zone.

Method for producing primary alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation of

A novel synthesis of methacrylic acid and methacrolein from isobutylene oxide is provided. This method includes contacting isobutylene oxide with a catalyst, preferably a heteropolyacid catalyst, in the presence of oxygen. Using this method, isobutylene oxide conversion is nearly 100% complete. Depending upon the reaction temperature selected, yields of up to about 60% methacrolein and up to about 12% methacrylic acid may be obtained. A simple, inexpensive high yield process is thus provided for producing reaction mixtures containing methacrylic acid and methacrolein.

Oxidation of isobutylene oxide to methacrylic acid and methacrolein

Process for the oxidation of isobutylene oxide to methacrolein

A novel synthetic procedure is disclosed for producing heteropolyacid catalysts having the general formula H.sub.3+x PV.sub.x W.sub.3-x Mo.sub.9 O.sub.40 where 0&lt;x&lt;3. The synthesis of these catalysts requires the formation of a defect structure wherein three of the twelve transition metals which surround the phosphorus hetero atom are missing. Three metal atoms of two other transition metals are then added to the cluster in a separate step by mixing Na.sub.3 H.sub.6 PMo.sub.9 O.sub.34 with the oxides of such transition metals in the presence of hydrochloric acid. A preferred catalyst having the formula H.sub.3.5 PV.sub.0.5 W.sub.2.5 Mo.sub.9 O.sub.40 is also described.

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Washington Crossing, PA, United States of America

Eva M Beals