CATALYST ACTIVITY CONTROL IN PROCESS FOR CONVERTING AN ALKENE TO A CARBONYL DERIVATIVE HE PRESENCE OF A NOBLE METAL AND A REDOX AGENT

摘要

This invention relates to the conversion of alkenes, especially lower alkenes and specifically ethylene, to carbonyl derivatives such as acetaldehyde (when the alkenes is ethylene) and ketones (when the alkene is propylene or a higher alkene) by a two-stage process is which the alkene is reacted (in the first stage of the process) with an aqueous acidic solution of an oxidant catalyst system comprising a noble metal (especially palladium) together with a redox agent comprising cupric chloride, the carbonyl compound then being separated from teh spent catalyst solution which is then (in the second stage of the process) reoxidized with a source of molecular oxygen(typically air) before being recycled to the first stage of the process for the conversion of additional quantities of the alkene.