Abstract: Organolead compounds such as tetraethyllead are useful in catalyst compositions for the oxidative carbonylation of hydroxyaromatic compounds to diaryl carbonates. They are employed in combination with a Group 8, 9, or 10 metal such as palladium, or a compound thereof, and a bromide or chloride such as tetraethylammonium bromide.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing titanium. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various inorganic co-catalyst combinations.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source; an effective amount of at least one bromide composition; an effective amount of at least one activating organic solvent; an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising at least one titanium source and at least one copper source; and an effective amount of at least one base.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes an effective amount of a Group VIII B metal source; an effective amount of a bromide composition; an effective amount of an activating organic solvent; an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising a lead source and a copper source; and an effective amount of a base.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source; an effective amount of at least one bromide composition; an effective amount of at least one activating organic solvent; an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising at least one titanium source and at least one copper source; and an effective amount of at least one base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and catalyst composition for carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds, comprising the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst composition comprising an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source, an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising at least one Group 4 metal source and at least one Group II metal source, an effective amount of at least one salt co-catalyst with an anion selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, benzoate, acetate, sulfate, and nitrate, wherein the carbonylation catalyst composition is free of a halide source.

Abstract: Computerized systems and methods for planning, preparing, tracking, and analyzing a plurality of chemical reactions including a planner for planning how much of each of a plurality of materials is to be delivered to each of a plurality of reaction vessels; a delivery device for delivering a predetermined amount of each of the plurality of materials to each of the plurality of reaction vessels; a reaction device for reacting the plurality of materials disposed within each of the plurality of reaction vessels; a measuring device for testing and measuring the reacted contents of each of the plurality of reaction vessels; and an analyzer for analyzing the reacted contents of each of the plurality of reaction vessels to determine the amount of at least one component present in the reacted contents and to determine the relative performance of the materials disposed within each of the plurality of reaction vessels.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes an effective amount of a Group VIII B metal source; an effective amount of a bromide composition; an effective amount of an activating organic solvent; an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising a lead source and a copper source; and an effective amount of a base.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of producing a homogeneous chemical reaction utilizing multiphase starting materials. The method includes the steps of providing a first reactant system embodied in a liquid and contacting the liquid with a second reactant system embodied in a gas. The liquid is arrayed in a form having dimensions such that the reaction rate of the homogeneous chemical reaction is essentially independent of the mass transport rate of the second reactant system into the liquid. The present invention further provides a method of performing simultaneous homogeneous chemical reactions utilizing multiphase reactant systems. The present invention is also directed to vessels for accommodating homogeneous chemical reactions.

Abstract: Organolead compounds such as tetraethyllead are useful in catalyst compositions for the oxidative carbonylation of hydroxyaromatic compounds to diaryl carbonates. They are employed in combination with a Group 8, 9, or 10 metal such as palladium, or a compound thereof, and a bromide or chloride such as tetraethylammonium bromide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and catalyst composition for carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds, comprising the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst composition comprising an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source, an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising at least one Group 4 metal source and at least one Group 11 metal source, an effective amount of at least one salt co-catalyst with an anion selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, benzoate, acetate, sulfate, and nitrate, wherein the carbonylation catalyst composition is free of a halide source.

Abstract: A method and catalyst composition for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds is disclosed. The present invention provides a method for carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds, comprising the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a halide-free carbonylation catalyst composition comprising an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source, an effective amount of a first inorganic co-catalyst comprising at least one Group 14 metal source, an effective amount of a salt co-catalyst, and optionally an effective amount of a second inorganic co-catalyst selected from the group consisting of a Group 4 metal source, a Group 7 metal source, a Group 11 metal source, and a lanthanide element source, and optionally an effective amount of a base.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source; an effective amount of at least one bromide composition; an effective amount of at least one activating organic solvent; an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising at least one titanium source and at least one copper source; and an effective amount of at least one base.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing lead and a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing titanium. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various inorganic co-catalyst combinations.

Abstract: Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are carbonylated with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a Group VIIIB metal, preferably palladium; an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal halide, preferably sodium bromide; and a promoter compound which is at least one C2-8 aliphatic or C7-10 aromatic mono- or dinitrile, preferably acetonitrile or adiponitrile. The catalyst system also preferably contains a compound of a non-Group VIIIB metal, preferably lead.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts containing manganese and nickel; manganese and iron; manganese and chromium; manganese and cerium; manganese and europium; manganese, cerium, and europium; manganese, iron, and europium; or manganese and thorium. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various other inorganic co-catalyst combinations.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having catalytic amounts of the following components: a Group VIII B metal source; a combination of inorganic co-catalysts including a copper source and at least one of a titanium source or a zirconium source; an onium chloride composition; and a base. Alternative embodiments include inorganic co-catalyst combinations of a lead source and at least one of a titanium source or a manganese source.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having catalytic amounts of the following components: a Group VIII B metal source; an alkaline metal chloride; a polyether; and a base. Alternative embodiments substitute a catalytic amount of a nitrile promoter for the polyether.

Abstract: A catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing bismuth. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various inorganic co-catalyst combinations.

Abstract: Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are carbonylated with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a metal from Groups 8-10 of the Periodic Table having an atomic number of at least 44, preferably palladium; an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal halide, preferably sodium bromide; at least one carboxylic acid amide such as N-methylpyrrolidone or dimethylacetamide; and a cocatalyst which is a compound of one or more metals including copper, titanium, zinc, lead, cerium and manganese.