Abstract: A catalyst useful for carbonylation of olefins has been developed. The catalyst comprises a palladium compound, e.g. PdIm4Cl2, where Im is imidazole and HCl dissolved in water or an alcohol. Carbonylation using this catalyst involves contacting an olefin stream preferably in a solvent such as o-xylene with the catalyst and carbon monoxide at carbonylation conditions to provide a carboxylic acid or an ester. When the catalyst solvent is water one can obtain an acid as the product, but when the catalyst solvent is an alcohol one obtains an ester as the product.

Abstract: Long chain alcohols and acids or other similar oxygenates such as esters are produced from paraffins of similar carbon number by a process comprising paraffin dehydrogenation, carbonylation, and separation. Preferably a mixture of paraffins extending over several carbon numbers and recovered from a kerosene fraction is processed, and unconverted paraffins are recycled to a dehydrogenation zone. Alternative reaction zone configurations, catalyst systems and product recovery methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Long chain alcohols and acids or other similar oxygenates such as esters are produced from paraffins of similar carbon number by a process comprising paraffin dehydrogenation, carbonylation, and separation. Preferably a mixture of paraffins extending over several carbon numbers and recovered from a kerosene fraction is processed, and unconverted paraffins are recycled to a dehydrogenation zone. Alternative reaction zone configurations, catalyst systems and product recovery methods are disclosed.