Carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds

摘要

A process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds including vinyl esters and a process for the production of 3-hydroxy propanoate esters or acids. The process comprises reacting the compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a source of hydroxyl groups and of a catalyst system. The catalyst system is obtainable by combining: (a) a metal of Group 8, 9 or 10 or a compound thereof: and (b) a bidentate ligand of general formula (I): X1(X2)-Q2-A-R-B-Q1-X3(X4).