Process for the production of acetaldehyde by the reaction of methanol with synthesis gas.

摘要

Acetaldehyde is produced by reacting methanol with hydrogen and carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt, an iodide or a bromide and one of the elements arsenic, antimony or bismuth, either in the form of the free element or a compound thereof, and in the additional presence of one or more of the following additives:
<UnorderedLists id="ula01" listStyle="none"><ListItem>(i) an inert liquid such as chlorobenzene, decanoic acid, a polydimethylsiloxane fluid or a methyl phenyl silicone fluid,</ListItem><ListItem>(ii) an acid and/or an acid derivative such as acetic acid, acetic anhydride, propionic acid, phenylacetic acid, benzoic acid, methyl acetate or butyl acetate.</ListItem><ListItem>(iii) an oxygen-containing organic compound such as 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, di-n-propylether, diphenylether, acetone, acetaldehyde, n-propanol or n-butanol.</ListItem><ListItem>(iv) a non-polar solvent such as an alkane, benzene or an alkyl-substituted benzene.</ListItem></UnorderedLists>

The presence of the additive suppresses by-product formation and thereby improves the yield and selectivity to acetaldehyde.