Abstract: A process for the production of methyl acetate by carbonylating dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide at a temperature of 250 to 350° C. in the presence of a zeolite catalyst and hydrogen such that the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide is at least 1, and one or more compounds containing a hydroxyl functional group and in the absence of any added methyl acetate.

Abstract: A process for the production of methyl acetate by carbonylating at a temperature of 250 to 350° C., in the presence of a zeolite catalyst, a feed comprising dimethyl ether, a gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen at a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide of at least 1, methyl acetate and one or more compounds containing a hydroxyl functional group.

Abstract: Continuous process for co-production of acetic acid and acetic anhydride by contacting carbon monoxide with a liquid reaction composition containing methyl acetate, dimethyl ether or a mixture thereof, a Group VIII metal catalyst, methyl iodide, acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and water in a concentration of 0.1 wt % or less, withdrawing liquid reaction composition from the reaction zone, introducing at least a portion thereof into a flash separation zone, and removing from the flash separation zone a vapor fraction containing acetic anhydride, acetic acid and methyl iodide and a liquid fraction containing acetic anhydride, and Group VIII metal catalyst. The liquid reaction composition and the withdrawn liquid reaction composition introduced into the flash separation zone contains a Group IA and/or Group IIA metal salt and the molar ratio of acetic acid to acetic anhydride in the vapor fraction removed from the flash separation zone is greater than or equal to 1.