Abstract: A process for preparing 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate by transesterifying an alkyl acrylate with 1,4-butanediol in the presence of a dialkyltin oxide such that each of the alkyl groups has 4 to 8 carbon atoms, characterized in that the amount of the dialkyltin oxide is adjusted to 0.00001 to 0.01 moles per one mole of the alkyl acrylate.

Abstract: Metal-accumulating plants for preparing compositions including a metal catalyst derived from the plants. The composition is substantially devoid of organic matter. Also, carrying out chemical reactions with the compositions prepared from metal-accumulating plants.

Abstract: The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of: providing a feedstock stream comprising an epoxide and carbon monoxide; contacting the feedstock stream with a metal carbonyl in a first reaction zone to effect conversion of at least a portion of the provided epoxide to a beta lactone; directing the effluent from the first reaction zone to a second reaction zone where the beta lactone is subjected to conditions that convert it to a compound selected from the group consisting of: an alpha beta unsaturated acid, an alpha beta unsaturated ester, an alpha beta unsaturated amide, and an optionally substituted polypropiolactone polymer; and isolating a final product comprising the alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acid, the alpha-beta unsaturated ester, the alpha-beta unsaturated amide or the polypropiolactone.

Abstract: A process for the production of acetic acid and/or methyl acetate by carbonylating methanol and/or reactive derivatives thereof with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst which is a mordenite which has been treated with an aqueous basic solution containing at least one of aluminate ions and gallate ions and has a silica:X2O3 molar ratio (wherein X is A1 and/or Ga) of at least 12:1.

Abstract: A metal complex having a pyridylphosphine compound represented by the formula (1) and a Group 10 metal atom of the periodic table.

Abstract: A process for the production of acetic acid and/or methyl acetate by carbonylating methanol and/or reactive derivatives thereof with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst which is a mordenite which has been treated with an aqueous basic solution containing at least one of aluminate ions and gallate ions and has a silica:X2O3 molar ratio (wherein X is A1 and/or Ga) of at least 12:1.

Abstract: A continuous carbonylation process for high turnover carbonylation, and a carbonylation reaction medium and product stream thereof. The process comprises carbonylating an ethlenically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a source of hydroxyl groups and a catalyst system. The catalyst system comprising: (a) a bidentate phosphine, arsine or stibine ligand; and (b) a catalytic metal selected from a group VIB or group VIIIB metal or a compound thereof. The catalytically active concentration of said catalytic metal, measured as the ACCF (product Kg·hr?1·Dm?3), is maintained at less than 0.5.

Abstract: A method for producing a mixture of ethylene and carbon monoxide by contacting ethane and an oxygen source at a temperature of at least 500° C. to produce ethylene and carbon monoxide. A method for producing an alkyl propionate by steps of: (a) contacting ethane and an oxygen source at a temperature of at least 500° C. to produce ethylene; (b) contacting an alcohol, ethylene and carbon monoxide with an ethylene carbonylation catalyst to produce the alkyl propionate; and (c) separating the alkyl propionate from byproducts and starting materials. The method further comprises condensing the alkyl propionate with formaldehyde to produce an alkyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A method for preparing supported palladium-gold catalysts is disclosed. The method comprises increasing the porosity of a titanium dioxide support, impregnating the support with a palladium salt, a gold salt, and an optional alkali metal or ammonium compound, and reducing the calcined support. The resultant supported palladium-gold catalysts have increased activity in the acetoxylation.

Abstract: Compositions including a conjugate of ?-difluoromethylornithine can be applied topically to reduce hair growth.

Abstract: The invention provides alkene fluoroalkanol and fluorinated polyol precursors to fluoroalkanol-substituted ?,?-unsaturated esters. The fluoroalkanol-substituted ?,?-unsaturated esters are olefins that can be readily polymerized to provide fluoroalkanol-substituted polymers useful in lithographic photoresist compositions. Also provided are methods for synthesizing the alkene fluoroalkanol and fluorinated polyol precursors.

Abstract: The invention disclosed a method for producing 3-hydroxy-propionate and 1,3-propylene glycol by using epoxide as raw material. In the method, a transitional metal cobalt catalyst and a cocatalyst for the hydroesterification reaction among epoxide, carbon monoxide, and alcohol were chosen, and a hydrogenation catalyst for hydrogenating 3-hydroxy-propionate as well as the corresponding process conditions were selected for producing 3-hydroxy-propionate and 1,3-propylene glycol.

Abstract: A process for producing a fluorine-containing 2,4-diol represented by the formula [4], wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an acyclic or cyclic alkyl group having a carbon atom number of 1 to 7; R2 represents an acyclic or cyclic alkyl group having a carbon atom number of 1 to 7; and R1 and R2 are optionally bonded to each other to form a ring, includes reducing a hydroxy ketone represented by the formula [3], wherein R1 and R2 are defined as above, by hydrogen in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for producing esters are described. The processes include: (a) providing a liquid reaction mixture comprising (i) an unsaturated carboxylic acid having a boiling point greater than water, (ii) a polyhydric alcohol, and (iii) a first polymerization inhibitor, in a reaction zone having an inner surface; (b) reacting the acid and the polyhydric alcohol to form an ester, such that a gas/vapor phase is formed comprising water of reaction; (c) removing at least a portion of the gas/vapor phase from the reaction zone to a dephlegmation zone having an inner surface; (d) partially condensing the portion of the gas/vapor phase in the dephlegmation zone such that a condensate is formed; and (e) returning the condensate to the reaction zone; wherein a second polymerization inhibitor is introduced into the dephlegmation zone such that the portion of the gas/vapor phase and/or the condensate are contacted with the second polymerization inhibitor.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of vinyl acetate comprising the steps of: (a) containing in a first reaction zone a gaseous feedstock comprising essentially ethane with a molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst to produce a first product stream comprising acetic acid and ethylene; (b) containing in a second reaction zone the first gaseous product stream with a molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst to produce a second product stream comprising vinyl acetate; (c) separating the product stream from step (b) recovering vinyl acetate from the product stream from step (b).

Abstract: The converting of an existing methanol plant to make acetic acid is disclosed. The converted plant utilizes the steam reformer (10) to which (a) a hydrocarbon ,e.g., natural gas, or a lower alkanol, e.g., methanol, and (b) steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer (10). All or part of the syngas is processed to separate out carbon dioxide (24), carbon monoxide (30) and hydrogen (32), and the separated carbon dioxide (24) is fed either to the existing methanol synthesis loop (12) for methanol synthesis, or back into the feed to the reformer (10) to enhance carbon monoxide formation in the syngas (18). When a lower alkanol is fed to the reformer (10), the methanol synthesis loop (12) is shutdown and isolated from the rest of the plant.

Abstract: This invention relates in part to a processes for the conversion of a feedstock stream comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a product stream comprising at least one of an ester, acid, acid anhydride and mixtures thereof. This invention also relates in part to processes for converting an alcohol and/or ether feedstock to oxygenated products, e.g., esters, acids, acid anhydrides and mixtures thereof. The processes and catalysts are especially suitable for the production of acetic acid and methyl acetate from a synthesis gas feedstock or from an alcohol and/or ether feedstock.

Abstract: A method for producing esters, carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof includes contacting, under carbonylation conditions, lower alkyl alcohols, ethers, lower alkyl alcohol derivatives and mixtures thereof and carbon monoxide with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount a metal selected from iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, tin and mixtures thereof associated with a carbonized polysulfonated divinylbenzene-styrene copolymer matrix. In a preferred aspect of the invention the method is called out under vapor-phase conditions.

Abstract: Methanol is reacted in presence of catalyst system comprising of an iron containing compound and a tin containing compound with or without an organic compound containing C, N, O, P, S, diamine, diketone, and or diphosphines as a ligand to produce acetic acid or methyl acetate. The reaction is effected in a solvent containing nitro or nitrile group.

Abstract: The retrofitting of an existing methanol or methanol/ammonia plant to make acetic acid is disclosed. The plant is retrofitted to feed carbon dioxide into a reformer to which natural gas and steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer wherein both the natural gas and the carbon dioxide are reformed to produce syngas with a large proportion of carbon monoxide relative to reforming without added carbon dioxide. The syngas is split into a first part and a second part. The first syngas part is converted to methanol in a conventional methanol synthesis loop that is operated at about half of the design capacity of the original plant. The second syngas part is processed to separate out carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, and the separated carbon dioxide is fed back into the feed to the reformer to enhance carbon monoxide formation. The separated carbon monoxide is then reacted with the methanol to produce acetic acid or an acetic acid precursor by a conventional process.

Abstract: The retrofitting of an existing methanol or methanol/ammonia plant to make acetic acid is disclosed. The plant is retrofitted to feed carbon dioxide into a reformer to which natural gas and steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer wherein both the natural gas and the carbon dioxide are reformed to produce syngas with a large proportion of carbon monoxide relative to reforming without added carbon dioxide. The syngas is split into a first part and a second part. The first syngas part is converted to methanol in a conventional methanol synthesis loop that is operated at about half of the design capacity of the original plant. The second syngas part is processed to separate out carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, and the separated carbon dioxide is fed back into the feed to the reformer to enhance carbon monoxide formation. The separated carbon monoxide is then reacted with the methanol to produce acetic acid or an acetic acid precursor by a conventional process.

Abstract: A noble metal-supported article which comprises a carrier and a palladium-containing metal component supported on the carrier, which article has (A) a layer in which substantially no palladium is supported in the interior of the carrier and (B) a layer in which palladium is supported in the region from the outer surface to a depth of less than 100 &mgr;m of the carrier.

Abstract: A carbonylation catalytic system comprises (A) a combination of (A1) a Group VIII metal source of Periodic Table of the Elements (e.g., palladium, palladium chloride) supported on a carrier, (A2) a ligand such as triphenylphosphine and (A3) an acid such as an alkylsulfonic acid, or (B) a combination of (B1) the Group VIII metal source except for palladium (e.g., a platinum compound), (B2) a ligand such as triphenylphosphine and (B3) an electron donative compound having an electron donability .DELTA..nu.D of not less than 2 (for instance, an amine such as a heterocyclic tertiary amine). The catalytic system (B) may further comprise (B4) an acid such as methanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a mixture of alkyl pentenoates by carbonylation of butadiene in the liquid phase in the presence of an alkanol, carbon monoxide, palladium and a bidentate organic phosphorus, antimony or arsenic ligand, the bidentate ligand having as bridging group a bis(.eta.-cyclopentadienyl) coordination group of a transition metal. Preferably the transition metal is iron.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a 5-formylvalerate ester by hydroformylating a mixture of pentenoate esters in the presence of a catalyst system which catalyst system comprises a metal from group 8-10 of the Periodic Table of Elements and a mono- or multidentate organic phosphorous ligand, wherein the mixture of pentenoate esters contains less than 500 ppm hydroperoxide compounds.

Abstract: A process for the production of esters, comprising allowing an olefin, carbon monoxide and an alcohol to react in the presence of hydrogen fluoride, in which the esters can be produced at high yields at a low temperature for a short period of time, the esters can be easily separated from a reaction solution, hydrogen fluoride can be recycled, the esters can be produced at a low cost, a mixture of esters can be easily produced, the kinetic viscosity of the mixture of the esters can be easily adjusted and the coloring of, and an increase in the viscosity of, the esters can be prevented.

Abstract: A lubricating oil additive suitable as an extreme pressure/anti-wear additive comprises the product obtainable by reacting at elevated temperature a mixture comprising (i) sulphur, (ii) at least one C.sub.10 to C.sub.100 unsaturated carboxylic acid, and (iii) at least one hydrocarbyl-substituted phenol, the amount of (iii) in the mixture being 15 to 65% w/w based on the combined weight of (i) (ii) and (iii). The reaction mixture can further comprise an olefin and/or, a mercaptan and/or a lubricating oil as a diluent. The additive is also useful as an anti-oxidant. Additive concentrates and lubricating oil compositions comprise a lubricating oil and the additives of the present invention.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of alkyl pentenoates comprises the following steps:a) reaction of a butadiene-containing C.sub.4 cut with an alkanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a cobalt carbonyl catalyst and heterocyclic aromatic tertiary nitrogen base at from 100.degree. to 160.degree. C. and under from 100 to 1,200 bar andb) treatment of the resulting reaction mixture, at the rate at which it is obtained, in a treatment zone, at from 100.degree. to 160.degree. C. under from 250 to 1,200 bar with a residence time of from 5 to 60 minutes, substantially without back-mixing.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an alkyl methacrylate, which process comprises:a) selectively removing propadiene from a C.sub.3 -mixture comprising a mixture of propyne and propadiene that has been obtained from an ethene cracker, a catalytic cracker or an LPG-dehydrogenation process, to provide a propyne feed in which the ratio of propyne to propadiene is at least about 6:1, ndb) contacting the propyene feed with carbon monoxide and an alkanol in the presence of a carboxylation catalyst.

Abstract: This invention involves a process for the carbonylation of a carbonylatable reactant, e.g., an alkyl ester, a dialkyl ether or mixtures thereof by reacting the same with carbon monoxide. The process comprises effecting the carbonylation in the presence of a solution of a catalyst system containing a rhodium compound, an iodide and a lithium component at a temperature of from 50.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. at a carbon monoxide partial pressure of 1 psig to 15,000 psig. Hydrogen may also be present. The invention also concerns a carbonylation catalyst system effective for the addition of carbon monoxide to a carbonylatable reactant which comprises a solution containing as essential components a rhodium containing active component, an iodide and a lithium component.

Abstract: Cyclic imides are prepared by reacting carbon monoxide with an ortho dihalide aromatic compound or a cis-1,2-vinyl dihalide and an amine in the presence of palladium catalyst and a base. The process is preferably conducted in the presence of a dipolar aprotic solvent as a liquid reaction medium.Acyclic imides are prepared by reacting CO with an activated halide and an amide (primary or secondary) in the presence of a Pd catalyst and a base.

Abstract: Cyclic imides are prepared by reacting carbon monoxide with an ortho dihalide aromatic compound or a cis-1,2-vinyl dihalide and an amide in the presence of palladium catalyst and a base. The process is preferably conducted in the presence of a dipolar aprotic solvent as a liquid reaction medium.

Abstract: Amide-imides are prepared by reacting carbon monoxide with an ortho dihalide aromatic compound or a cis-1,2-vinyl dihalide having an isolated halogen function, and with an amine, in the presence of palladium catalyst and a base. The process is preferably conducted in the presence of a dipolar aprotic solvent as a liquid reaction medium.

Abstract: Alkyl pentenoates are prepared by(a) reacting butadiene or a butadiene-containing hydrocarbon mixture with carbon monoxide and an alkanol in the presence of a tertiary aromatic heterocyclic nitrogen base and a cobalt carbonyl catalyst at from 80.degree. to 160.degree. C. under from 100 to 1,000 bar to obtain a reaction mixture which contains alkyl pentenoate, C.sub.6 -diester, tertiary nitrogen base, alkanol, butadiene, hydrocarbon and by-product,(b) substantially removing from the reaction mixture obtained any excess hydrocarbon, nitrogen base, alkanol and alkyl pentenoate by distillation to obtain a residue which contains cobalt carbonyl catalyst,(c) bringing the residue which contains cobalt carbonyl catalyst into contact with a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen at elevated temperature and elevated pressure, and(d) recycling the residue which contains cobalt carbonyl catalyst into alkyl pentenoate synthesis stage (a).

Abstract: Alkyl pentenoates are prepared by reacting butadiene with carbon monoxide and an alkanol in the presence of a cobalt carbonyl complex and a tertiary, aromatic heterocyclic nitrogen base at from 80.degree. to 160.degree. C. under from 100 to 1,000 bar in the presence of from 0.1 to 10% by volume of hydrogen, based on the amount of carbon monoxide used.

Abstract: Included is a process for redispersing catalysts wherein the catalyst metal is selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, osmium, rhodium and palladium comprising contacting the catalyst serially with (1) a reducing agent; (2) a halogen redispersing agent; and (3) a reducing agent, under conditions sufficient to redisperse the sintered catalyst. A preliminary oxygen treatment is optional. Also included are the novel catalysts such as redispersed by the foregoing process and processes in which sintered catalysts are redispersed and in which the redispersed catalysts are employed.The redispersed catalysts can have very high activity and can even have activity higher than originally found. A preferred metal is palladium and a preferred support is alumina.A preferred process for employing the redispersed catalyst is the production of .alpha.-substituted acrylate esters.

Abstract: A method for producing alkyl acrylates by reacting ethylene, CO, O.sub.2 and an alkanol in the presence of a PdCl.sub.2 /CuCl.sub.2 catalyst to produce an alkyl propionate which is passed over a base-treated zeolite catalyst to produce the alkyl acrylate.

Abstract: The invention is a vapor phase process for the preparation of an a-substituted acrylate ester which comprises contacting a haloalkene, wherein the halogen is substituted on an olefinic carbon atom which is further substituted with a C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.3-10 cycloalkyl, C.sub.6-10 aryl, C.sub.7-10 alkaryl, C.sub.7-10 aralkyl, cyano, trihalomethyl group, with an alcohol or an ether, and carbon monoxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst which comprises palladium, platinum, nickel, ruthenium or rhodium, on a support, under conditions such that an a-substituted acrylate ester and a hydrocarbyl halide is prepared wherein the catalyst productivity is 0.06 g of product per gram of catalyst per hour or greater.

Abstract: Carboxylic acid esters are produced by reacting an unsaturated hydrocarbon, for example an olefin or an alkyne, with carbon monoxide and an alcohol in the presence of a protonic acid and as catalyst (a) at least one of the metals palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and cobalt, and (b) copper. In a modification of the invention carboxylic acids are produced by omitting the alcohol reactant and replacing it with water in an amount up to 8 mole equivalents based on the unsaturated hydrocarbon and a solvent other than an alochol, for example tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: High yields of aromatic, aromatic acetic and olefinic acids, esters, amides and the like are derived from a process wherein a halo-hydrocarbon is carbonylated in the presence of a palladium catalyst, a hindered amine base and phosphine in excess. The hindered amine base can comprise C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 branched alkyls, cyclic compounds, or mixtures of the above. The preferred amine is N,N-diisopropylethyl amine. The preferred catalyst is PdCl.sub.2 (PPH.sub.3).sub.2 with the excess phosphine generally supplied by a compound of the formula PR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are preferably phenyl.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of carboxylic acids, alcohols, aldehydes or the secondary products thereof which comprises reacting an alcohol having from one to about twenty carbon atoms with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a heterogeneous sulfided catalyst comprising nickel in admixture with a co-catalyst selected from the elements of Groups V-B, VI-B and the Actinide series of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of esters by reaction of an alkyl acyclic allylic ether such as 8-methoxy-1,6-octadiene with carbon monoxide in the presence of a halide of nickel, cobalt or iron as a catalyst and especially nickel iodide for the production of esters. Carbonylation of 8-methoxy-1,6-octadiene results in the production of methyl-3,8-nonadienoate; 2-(carbomethoxymethyl)-vinylcyclopentane; 2-(carbomethoxymethyl)-6-vinylcyclohexanone and 2-carbomethoxymethylbicyclo(3.3.0)-octan-3-one.

Abstract: A commercially economical process for preparing a carboxylic acid ester from a carboxylic acid amide is disclosed. The process is very meritorious, since it produces neither ammonia nor ammonium sulfates. Rather, the process by-produces formamides which are very useful compounds as solvents. Further, formamide can easily be converted to hydrogen cyanide by dehydration. The process comprises reacting a carboxylic acid amide with a formic acid ester and/or methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a bicyclic amidine or tertiary amine catalyst and optionally in the co-existence of a metal carbonyl. An industrial process for preparing methyl methacrylate which is a materialization of the process shown above is described in detail referring to a figure.

Abstract: C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl pentenoates are obtained from reaction mixtures which contain this and which are obtained by reacting butadiene, or a butadiene-containing hydrocarbon mixture, with carbon monoxide and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkanol, in the presence of a cobalt carbonyl catalyst and a tertiary nitrogen base at elevated temperatures and under superatmospheric pressure by a process in which(a) the liquid reaction mixture freed from excess carbon monoxide is treated with hydrogen at elevated temperatures and under from 5 to 80 bar,(b) hydrocarbons are distilled off from the resulting liquid reaction mixture,(c) the C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl pentenoate, the alkanol and the nitrogen base are then distilled off under reduced pressure, and(d) the C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl pentenoate is obtained by fractional distillation from the distillate containing this compound, the alkanol and the tertiary nitrogen base.

Abstract: This invention is a process for the carbonylation of an organic halide to prepare a carbonyl-containing compound, and recovery of halogen values in a useful form which comprises(a) contacting an organic halide with carbon monoxide and an esterifying agent, a primary or secondary amine, or hydrogen gas, in an inert organic solvent in the presence of a water-insoluble tertiary amine or pyridine ring-containing compound, and a catalytic amount of a Group VIII metal catalyst, under conditions such that an organic ester, amide or aldehyde is prepared and the halide generated in the process forms a salt with tertiary amine or pyridine compound wherein the halide is bromine or iodine;(b) separating the organic ester, amide or aldehyde from the reaction mixture which contains the tertiary amine or pyridine compound-halide salt;(c) contacting the reaction mixture containing the tertiary amine or pyridine compound-halide salt mixture with a concentrated aqueous solution of an alkali metal base or alkaline earth metal b

Abstract: Methyl 4-pentenoate is isolated from mixtures containing this and methyl 3-pentenoate by a process in which from 0.25 to 0.4 part by weight of water is added per part by weight of methyl 4-pentenoate, and the azeotrope of methyl 4-pentenoate and water is distilled off.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of pent-3-enoic acid and its alkyl esters, of the general formulaCH.sub.3 --CH.dbd.CH--CH.sub.2 --CO--ORwhere R is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, comprising carbonylating butadiene with carbon monoxide and a compound ROH at from 300 to 1,000 bars CO pressure and from 100.degree. to 160.degree. C. in the presence of cobalt catalysts and nitrogen bases, wherein C.sub.4 cuts are used as starting materials and a tertiary amine having a pK.sub.A of from 3 to 11 is used as the nitrogen base. The pent-3-enoic acid or alkyl esters produced may be used for the manufacture of adipic acid or its alkyl esters, which compounds are starting materials for the manufacture of nylons.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid esters, such as methyl propionate, is prepared by carbonylation of an olefin, such as ethylene, in the presence of an alcohol by the use of a molybdenum-nickel-alkali metal, a tungsten-nickel-alkali metal or a chromium nickel-alkali metal co-catalyst and in the presence of a halide.

Abstract: The invention is a process for preparing a 2-halo-1-alkene comprising contacting a hydrocarbon stream with a hydrogen halide, in the presence of water and an effective amount of a catalyst, at a temperature between about 20.degree. C. and about 400.degree. C., wherein; the hydrocarbon stream comprises a 1,2-diene, a terminal acetylene or mixtures thereof, represented by the formulas CH.sub.2 .dbd.C.dbd.CH--R or CH.tbd.C--CH.sub.2 --R wherein R is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl and may be substituted or unsubstituted; the water is present in an amount capable of maintaining the selectivity of the catalyst for the insertion of the halide on the 2 carbon of the 1,2-diene or terminal acetylene; and the catalyst comprises carbon, silica alumina, aluminosilicates, silica gel, silica, silica magnesia, silicalite, group IIIA, IIIB, IVA, IVB or V metal oxides or rare earth oxides.

Abstract: This invention is a process for the preparation of acrylate esters comprising contacting a vinyl halide with carbon monoxide and an organic carbonate in the presence of an effective amount of a group VIII metal catalyst.