Processes for the preparation of a carboxylic anhydride and use of the carboxylic anhydride as an acylation agent

摘要

A process for the preparation of an carboxylic anhydride by reaction of an ethylenically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and an carboxylic acid in the presence of a catalyst involving: a) a source of a group VIII metal; b) a bidentate diphosphine of formula I, wherein R¹ represents a bivalent radical that together with the phosphorus atom to which it is attached is an optionally substituted 2-phospha-tricyclo[3.3.1.1 {3,7}]-decyl group or a derivative thereof in which one or more of the carbon atoms are replaced by heteroatoms ("2-PA" group); wherein R² and R³ independently represent univalent radicals of up to 20 atoms or jointly form a bivalent radical of up to 20 atoms; and wherein R represents a bivalent organic bridging group; and, c) a complexing anion; wherein the complexing anion is the anion of the carboxylic acid. A process wherein the carboxylic acid is prepared in-situ and use of the carboxylic anhydride as an acylation agent.