Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology

Woo S Chang

Sung Yun Cho

Dae Chul Park

The present invention relates to the field of catalyst technology, and more particularly to the preparation of a supported catalyst and a method of producing ethylidene diacetate using that supported catalyst. The catalyst is represented by the formula M.sub.a X. Compound M includes a group VIII transition metal which catalyzes the formation of ethylidene diacetate, preferably a compound of rhodium or palladium. Carrier X is an organic carrier, preferably selected from the divinylbenzene-polystyrene copolymers, most preferably copolymers having about 1-20% crosslinking. The weight percent of metal M contained in the catalyst is represented by the latter a. The supported heterogenized catalyst results from covalent bonding of the transition metal compound to the organic polymer carrier. Ethylidene diacetate was produced by reacting methyl acetate, iodomethane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of this supported catalyst and an accelerator at elevated temperature and pressure. According to the present invention, the reaction product, ethylidene diacetate, is easily separated from the catalyst. The produced ethylidene diacetate may be used as a starting material for preparing vinyl acetate monomer.

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Deajonjikhal, South Korea

Woo S Chang