Abstract: The invention relates to a supported catalyst and the production and use thereof in the synthesis of vinyl acetate in the gaseous phase from ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen, or from gases containing oxygen, whereby the activity and selectivity are simultaneously improved. The catalyst contains palladium, at least one alkali metal compound and optionally one or more catalyst accelerators, in particular, gold, barium and/or cadmium on a porous support. Said support contains at least one reducible metal oxide, in particular oxides of the elements of groups IIIb, IVb, Vb, VIb from the periodic table of elements. Once the support has been loaded with at least one palladium compound, a reduction is carried out at a temperature of >200° C.

Abstract: An alkaline earth metal chelate complex of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptanedione of the formula (I)M.sup.2+ (C.sub.11 H.sub.19 O.sub.2).sup.-.sub.2.L.sub.k (I)is described, in which M is calcium, strontium or barium, L is a ligand and k is a number from 1 to 3, the complex being free of water of hydration and the ligand L being an aliphatic ether having at least two oxygen atoms in the molecule. A process for the preparation of the chelate complex and its use for the production of coated substrates are also described.