Lucite International UK Limited

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Sabina Ziemian

Ian Andrew York

David William Johnson

A method of producing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester such as (meth) acrylic acid or alkyl esters thereof, for example, methyl methacrylate is described. The process comprises the steps of contacting formaldehyde or a suitable source thereof with a carboxylic acid or ester, for example, propionic acid or alkyl esters thereof in the presence of a catalyst and optionally an alcohol. The catalyst comprises group II metal phosphate crystals having rod or needle like morphology or a suitable source thereof. The phosphate may be a hydroxyapatite, pyrophosphate, hydroxyphosphate, POphosphate or mixtures thereof. The group II metal may be selected from Ca, Sr, Ba or mixtures thereof, for example, strontium hydroxyapatite and calcium hydroxyapatite. A catalyst system comprising a crystalline metal phosphate catalyst and a catalyst support is also described. The metal phosphate has rod/needle like morphology.

Process for the production of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or esters and a catalyst therefor

The invention relates to a method of producing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester, preferably an &#x3b1;, &#x3b2; ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester. The method includes contacting formaldehyde or a suitable source thereof with a carboxylic acid or ester in the presence of a catalyst and optionally in the presence of an alcohol. The catalyst comprises a nitrided metal oxide having at least two types of metal cations, Mand M, wherein Mis selected from the metals of group 2, 3, 4, 13 (called also IIIA) or 14 (called also IVA) of the periodic table and M2 is selected from the metals of groups 5 or 15 (called also VA) of the periodic table. The invention extends to a catalyst system.

Nitrided mixed oxide catalyst system and a process for the production of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or esters

A method of producing an ethylenically unsaturated, typically, an &#x3b1;, &#x3b2; ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester is described. The method comprises the steps of contacting formaldehyde, or a source of formaldehyde, with a carboxylic acid or ester in the presence of a catalyst and optionally in the presence of an alcohol. The catalyst comprises barium phosphate leaf or plate shaped/like crystals, or a source thereof. A catalyst system is also described. The catalyst system comprises a crystalline barium phosphate catalyst and optionally a catalyst support.

Process for the production of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids for esters and a catalyst therefor

The invention relates to a catalyst for the reaction of formaldehyde with a carboxylic acid or ester to produce an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester, preferably &#x3b1;, &#x3b2; ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or ester. The catalyst includes a metal oxide having at least two types of metal cations, Mand M, wherein Mis at least one metal selected from group 3 or 4 in the 4to 6periods of the periodic table, group 13 in the 3to 5periods of the periodic table, or the remaining elements in the lanthanide series and Mis at least one metal selected from group 5 in the 5or 6periods of the periodic table or group 15 in the 4or 5periods of the periodic table. The production includes reacting formaldehyde with a carboxylic acid or esterin the presence of the catalyst effective to catalyze the reaction.

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Wilton, United Kingdom

Sabina Ziemian