Effects of catalyst concentration and solid activator on nickel-mediated olefin/carbon dioxide coupling to acrylates

Abstract

This disclosure provides for routes of synthesis of acrylic acid and other α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids and their salts, including catalytic methods. For example, there is provided a process for producing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, the process comprising: (1) contacting in any order, a group 8-11 transition metal precursor, an olefin, carbon dioxide, a diluent, and a metal-treated chemically-modified solid oxide such as a sulfur oxoacid anion-modified solid oxide, a phosphorus oxoacid anion-modified solid oxide, or a halide ion-modified solid oxide, to provide a reaction mixture; and (2) applying reaction conditions to the reaction mixture suitable to produce the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid or the salt thereof. Methods of regenerating the metal-treated chemically-modified solid oxide are described.