PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SUPPORTED PALLADIUM-GOLD CATALYSTS

摘要

PURPOSE: Provided is an improved process for the preparation of supported palladium-gold catalysts used for the vapor phase reaction of ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen to produce vinyl acetate. CONSTITUTION: An inert support is impregnated with palladium and gold salts and, prior to the reduction, the impregnated support is calcined by heating in a non-reducing atmosphere at a temperature from about 100°C. to about 600°C. to bring about at least partial decomposition of the palladium and gold salts. Catalysts produced by the improved process of the invention contain from 0.1 to 3 weight percent palladium, 0.1 to 3 weight percent gold and have a weight ratio of palladium to gold from 5:1 to 1:3. Inert supports used in the process have pore volumes from 0.1 to 0.75 cc/g and surface areas from 0.5 to 500 m¬2/g and preferably are alumina, silica, silica-alumina and titania.