PROCESS FOR THE CO-PRODUCTION OF CARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND CARBOXYLIC ACID ESTERS

摘要

Process for the co-production of carboxylic acids of the general formula R1-COOH and R2-COOH and carboxylic acid esters of the general formula R1-COOCH2R2 and R2-COOCH2R1 from carboxylic acid esters of the general formula R1-COOR2 and/or ethers of the general formula R3OR4 (R1, R2, R3, R4 representing (substituted) alkyl or (substituted) aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl, R1 also representing H), carbon monoxide and hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a ruthenium compound, a further Group VIII metal compound, and a compound R5Hal or R5COHal where R5 has one of the meanings given for R2 and Hal is iodine or bromine, the reaction mixture being substantially free from other transistion metal or Group II metal iodides or bromides, and containing a trivalent nitrogen compound containing a group (X=O or S), such as an amide, a carbamate, a urea or a derivative thereof. The process is of special interest for the selective conversion of methyl acetate into ethyl acetate and acetic acid at pressures well below 100 bar.