Abstract: The specification describes a process for the production of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) from acetylene and HCl. The process involves a primary reactor and a secondary reactor each comprising a hydrochlorination catalyst. The feed from the primary reactor is sent to a knockout drum. The feed from the secondary reactor is split, part is combined with the feed from the primary reactor while the other part is sent to a vent recovery unit. The vent recovery unit includes one or more stages in which liquid containing VCM is separated and sent directly to the KO drum. A cold vapor is generated from the KO drum which is sent to a compressor, followed by a lights separation unit and a lights column.

Abstract: The specification describes a method for the production of a hydrochlorination catalyst, comprising the steps of: i) preparing an impregnation solution by combining a source of gold and a ligand in a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent; ii) impregnating a support with the impregnation solution from step (i); and iii) drying the product of step (ii) to obtain the catalyst. Also described are hydrochlorination catalysts comprising a complex of gold and a ligand of Formula (I) supported on a support. These catalysts are particularly suitable for the conversion of acetylene to vinyl chloride monomer.