Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft

Hans K Kubbeler

Klaus Gehrmann

Heinz Erpenbach

Klaus Schmitz

The invention relates to the production of anhydrous alkyl iodides. To this end, carboxylic acid alkyl esters of the formula R.sup.1 COOR.sup.2, in which R.sup.1 stands for hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl radical having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and R.sup.2 stands for an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, are reacted with iodine and hydrogen and optionally with carbon monoxide in the presence of compounds of noble metals comprised of rhodium, iridium, palladium or ruthenium as catalyst, and of a heterocyclic aromatic compound, in which at least one hetero atom is a quaternary nitrogen atom, or of a quaternary organophosphorus compound as a promoter, and optionally also in the presence of a carboxylic acid having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and/or its anhydrides. The reaction is effected under practically anhydrous conditions at temperatures of from 350 to 420 K. and under a total pressure of up to 30 bars.

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Swisttal, Germany

Hans K Kubbeler