Process for the catalytic conversion of isobutyric acid into the corresponding alpha , beta -ethylenically unsaturated derivative

摘要

The invention relates to a process for the oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutyric acid or functional equivalents thereof, for example a lower alkyl ester, in the vapour phase by contacting them with a heterogeneous catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen, giving the corresponding alpha , beta -ethylenically unsaturated derivatives. The catalyst comprises calcined iron phosphates and contains silver, cobalt, lanthanum or tellurium as modifier or embedding component.