Process for the co-production of carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid esters.

摘要

Process for the co-productlon of carboxylic acids of general formulae R<1>-COOH and R<2>-COOH and carboxylic acid esters of general formulae R<1>-COOCH2R<2> and R<2>-COOCH2R<1> from carboxyllc acid esters of general formula R<1>-COOR<2> and/or ethers of general formula R<3>OR<4> [R<1>, R<2>, R<3>, R<4> representing (substituted) alkyl or (substituted) aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl, R<1> 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 Group II metal iodide and/or bromide or a transition metal iodide and/or bromide, The process is of special interest for the conversion of methyl acetate into ethylacetate and acetic acid in stoichiometrically amounts at pressures well below 100 bar.