Iridium catalysts for carbonylation

摘要

A solid catalyst comprising an effective amount of iridium and at least one second metal selected from gallium, zinc, indium and germanium associated with a solid support material is useful for vapor phase carbonylation to produce carboxylic acids and esters from alkyl alcohols, esters, ethers or ester-alcohol mixtures. The iridium and at least one second metal are deposited on a support material. In some embodiments of the invention, the catalyst is useful for vapor phase carbonylation.

主权项

1. A method for producing at least one carboxylic acid, ester, or combination of carboxylic acid and ester mixtures from at least one reactant selected from alkyl alcohols, ethers, esters and combinations of two or more of the foregoing, the method comprising:
a) contacting a gaseous composition comprising the at least one reactant with carbon monoxide in a reaction zone under vapor-phase carbonylation reaction conditions in the presence of a catalyst comprising iridium and at least one second metal selected from gallium, zinc, indium and germanium, wherein the iridium and the at least one second metal are associated with a solid support material; and b) recovering at least one carboxylic acid or ester from the reaction zone, wherein the solid support material comprises activated carbon.