Abstract: A shell impregnated catalyst for use in the production of vinyl acetate from ethylene, acetic acid and an oxygen containing gas is provided. The catalyst has a productivity of greater than 661 grams of vinyl acetate per hour per liter of catalyst at 150.degree. C. and consists essentially of:(1) a catalyst support having a particle diameter from about 3 to about 7 mm and a pore volume of 0.2 to 1.5 ml per gram(2) palladium and gold distributed in the outermost 1.0 mm thick layer of the catalyst support particles, and(3) from about 3.5 to 9.5% by weight of potassium acetate.The catalyst is characterised by having a gold to palladium weight ratio in the range 0.60 to 1.25.

Abstract: The processes for oxidation of propylene to acrolein and the oxidation of propylene to acrylic acid in two stages with acrolein as an intermediate are improved by use of essentially inert essentially anhydrous diluent gases to replace steam in the reaction streams. In particular, the use of essentially inert essentially anhydrous diluents which raise the composite heat capacity of the diluent gaas mixture to at least about 6.5 calories/(gram-mole) (.degree.C.) will improve selectivity to desired products and will reduce both the waste water load on the system and by-product formation.

Abstract: A shell impregnated catalyst for use in the production of vinyl acetate from ethylene, acetic acid and an oxygen containing gas is provided. The catalyst has a productivity of greater than 661 grams of vinyl acetate per hour per liter of catalyst at 150.degree. C. and consists essentially of:(1) a catalyst support having a particle diameter from about 3 to about 7 mm and a pore volume of 0.2 to 1.5 ml per gram(2) palladium and gold distributed in the outermost 1.0 mm thick layer of the catalyst support particles, and(3) from about 3.5 to 9.5% by weight of potassium acetate.The catalyst is characterized by having a gold to palladium weight ratio in the range 0.60 to 1.25.

Abstract: The process for oxidation of propylene to acrolein and the oxidation of propylene to acrylic acid in two stages with acrolein as an intermediate are improved by use of essentially inert essentially anhydrous diluent gases to replace steam in the reaction streams. In particular, the use of essentially inert essentially anhydrous diluents which raise the composite heat capacity of the diluent gas mixture to at least about 6.5 calories/(gram-mole) (.degree.C.) will improve selectively to desired products and will reduce both the waste water load on the system and by-product formation. Reduction in second-stage catalyst efficiency is compensated for by introducing steam to the feed to the second-stage, and/or by increasing the operating temperature of the second-stage, and/or by increasing the active surface area of the second-stage catalyst.

Abstract: The processes for oxidation of isobutylene to methacrolein and the oxidation of isobutylene to methacrylic acid in two stages with methacrolein as an intermediate are improved by use of essentially inert essentially anhydrous diluent gases to replace steam in the reaction streams. In particular, the uses of essentially inert essentially anhydrous diluents which raise the composite heat capacity of the diluent gas mixture to at least about 6.5 calories/(gram-mole) (.degree.C.) will improve selectivity to desired products and will reduce both the waste water load on the system and by-product formation.

Abstract: A process for producing acrylic ester by the catalytic esterification of a crude liquid stream of enriched acrylic acid recovered by the partial condensation of the reaction gas effluent from the catalytic oxidation of propylene and/or acrolein. The partial condensation allows a significant proportion of volatile aldehydes and water to pass through the first recovery stage to a second stage for conventional recovery, along with uncondensed acrylic acid vapors and the remainder of the uncondensed reaction gases.