Abstract: A catalyst for use in producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester, wherein the catalyst is produced by a process comprising a step of contacting the catalyst with a gas containing at least one member selected from water, lower aliphatic carboxylic acids and lower aliphatic alcohols; a process for producing the catalyst; and a process for producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester using the catalyst. The catalyst can exhibit high initial activity and high space time yield, ensure sufficiently long catalyst life in practice in industry, and can prevent the production of by-product materials. A siliceous support for use in a catalyst, which has a silicon content of from 39.7 to 46.3% by mass or a silicon content of from 85 to 99% by mass in terms of silicon dioxide or a crush strength of 30 N or more.

Abstract: A process for producing a catalyst for use in producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester. The catalyst is used in reacting a lower olefin with a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid in a gas phase to produce a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester. The process comprises the following first and second steps. The first step is a step of loading one or more heteropolyacid on a support to obtain a heteropolyacid supported catalyst. The second step is a step of contacting the heteropolyacid supported catalyst obtained in the first step with a gas containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of water, a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid and a lower aliphatic alcohol to obtain a catalyst for use in producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester.

Abstract: A catalyst for producing lower fatty acid esters through esterification of a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid with a lower olefin, comprising a heteropoly acid or a, salt thereof held on a carrier, and having a specific surface area of the catalyst, as measured by a BET method, of 65 m2/g-350 m2/g. A process for producing the catalyst and a process for producing a lower fatty acid ester by using the catalyst are also provided.

Abstract: A siliceous support for use in a catalyst for producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester by reacting a lower olefin with a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid in a gas phase, which has a silicon content of from 39.7 to 46.3% by mass or a silicon content of from 85 to 99% by mass in terms of silicon dioxide or a crush strength of 30 N or more. By the use of a catalyst comprising the support, a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester is produced from lower olefin and a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid without causing great reduction of catalytic activity or cracking or abrasion of the catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester, which can exhibit high initial activity and high space time yield, ensure a sufficiently long catalyst life in the industrial practice, and reduce the production of by-products; a process for producing the catalyst; and a process for producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester using the catalyst. The catalyst is produced by a process comprising a step of contacting the catalyst with a gas containing at least one member selected from water, a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid and a lower aliphatic alcohol.