PROCESS FOR PREPARING A DIESTER OF OXALIC ACID FROM CARBON MONOXIDE AND AN ESTER OF NITROUS ACID IN THE VAPOR PHASE

摘要

The invention deals with a process for preparing a diester of oxalic acid from carbon monoxide and an ester of nitrous acid in the vapor phase under a pressure in the presence of a special palladium supported catalyst.
The catalyst is a solid palladium supported catalyst comprising metallic palladium or a salt thereof deposited on a nonacidic carrier, such as alpha-alumina, having a surface area of less than about 10 square meters per gram.
This process provides an increased conversion to the diester product, a longer catalyst life and less by-product formation.