Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming vinyl acetate. The process comprises the step of providing a reaction mixture having an initial heat capacity. The reaction mixture comprises acetic acid, oxygen, ethylene, and optionally water. The process further comprises the step of adding to the reaction mixture at least one heat capacity modifier to form an increased heat capacity reaction mixture. The process further comprises the step of contacting the acetic acid, oxygen, and ethylene over a catalyst under conditions effective to form a crude vinyl acetate product. The crude vinyl acetate product comprises vinyl acetate and water.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of dehydrating a crude alkylenating agent stream to form a dehydrated alkylenating agent stream and a water stream. The process further comprises reacting acetic acid with at least a portion of the dehydrated alkylenating agent stream to form a crude acrylate product stream comprising acrylate product and alkylenating agent stream. The dehydrating of the crude alkylenating stream is accomplished using at least one evaporator or at least one distillation column.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream. The alkylenating agent stream comprises at least 1 wt % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product.

Abstract: A continuous process is provided for selective formation of a vinyl ester by reactive distillation from a corresponding carboxylic acid. Carboxylic acid, vinyl acetate, and a palladium acetate—bidentate ligand catalyst complex are provided and reacted in a typical embodiment. Acetic acid and vinyl acetate are continuously removed from the reaction mixture and vinyl acetate is recycled to the reaction mixture. The vinyl ester product is separated from the vinyl acetate, residual carboxylic acid, residual acetic acid, and catalyst.

Abstract: A semi-continuous process is provided for selective formation of a vinyl ester by reactive distillation from a corresponding carboxylic acid. Carboxylic acid, vinyl acetate, and a palladium acetate—bidentate ligand catalyst complex are provided and reacted in a typical embodiment. Acetic acid and vinyl acetate are continuously removed from the reaction mixture and vinyl acetate is recycled to the reaction mixture. The vinyl ester product is separated from the vinyl acetate, residual carboxylic acid, residual acetic acid, and catalyst.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream. The alkylenating agent stream comprises at least 1 wt % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream into an intermediate acrylate product stream and an alkylenating stream. The process further comprises separating at least a portion of the intermediate acrylate product stream by azeotropic distillation in the presences of an entrainer to form a stream containing acrylate product and a stream containing entrainer.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, is to a process for inhibiting impurity formation a vinyl acetate formation reaction. The process comprises the step of providing a reactor comprising an inlet section, an outlet section, a filler (or fillers), and a catalyst block section. The filler is disposed in the outlet section. The catalyst block section may be in communication with and configured between the inlet and outlet sections. The process further comprises the steps of introducing the reactants to the inlet section and contacting the reactants in the catalyst block section under conditions effective to form a crude vinyl acetate composition. The process may further comprise the step of directing the crude vinyl acetate composition into the outlet section, which comprises the filler.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of dehydrating a crude alkylenating agent stream to form a dehydrated alkylenating agent stream and a water stream. The process further comprises reacting acetic acid with at least a portion of the dehydrated alkylenating agent stream to form a crude acrylate product stream comprising acrylate product and alkylenating agent stream. The dehydrating of the crude alkylenating stream is accomplished using at least one evaporator or at least one distillation column.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream. The process further comprises the step of recovering high purity acrylate product using precipitation. The alkylenating agent stream comprises at least 1 wt % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product.

Abstract: Recovery of acid, and in particular acetic acid, in a vinyl acetate production process. Vinyl acetate production produces heavy ends that comprise acetate containing compounds, such as monomers and polymers. Acid preferably is recovered by hydrolyzing the heavy ends and separating the resulting hydrolyzed stream to recover acid formed from the from acetate containing compounds.

Abstract: A semi-continuous process is provided for selective formation of a vinyl ester by reactive distillation from a corresponding carboxylic acid. Carboxylic acid, vinyl acetate, and a palladium acetate—bidentate ligand catalyst complex are provided and reacted in a typical embodiment. Acetic acid and vinyl acetate are continuously removed from the reaction mixture and vinyl acetate is recycled to the reaction mixture. The vinyl ester product is separated from the vinyl acetate, residual carboxylic acid, residual acetic acid, and catalyst.

Abstract: A continuous process is provided for selective formation of a vinyl ester by reactive distillation from a corresponding carboxylic acid. Carboxylic acid, vinyl acetate, and a palladium acetate—bidentate ligand catalyst complex are provided and reacted in a typical embodiment. Acetic acid and vinyl acetate are continuously removed from the reaction mixture and vinyl acetate is recycled to the reaction mixture. The vinyl ester product is separated from the vinyl acetate, residual carboxylic acid, residual acetic acid, and catalyst.