A MIXED OXIDE CATALYST AND A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED CARBOXYLIC ACIDS OR ESTERS

摘要

The invention relates to a catalyst for the reaction of formaldehyde or a suitable source thereof with a carboxylic acid or ester to produce an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester. The catalyst comprises a metal oxide having at least two types of metal cations, M1 and M2. M1 is at least one metal selected from group 3 or 4 in the 4th to 6th periods of the periodic table, group 13 in the 3rd to 5th periods of the periodic table, or the remaining elements in the lanthanide series and M2 is at least one metal selected from group 5 in the 5th or 6th periods of the periodic table or group 15 in the 4th or 5th periods of the periodic table. The invention extends to a process to produce an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester.