Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb: and b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R1 is independently selected from H, C1-18 alkyl, and C2-18 alkenyl; R2b is C1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.

Abstract: A process of preparation of carboxylic acids by oxidative cleavage of compounds having substituted or non-substituted, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chains containing at least one vicinal diol or an epoxide in the presence of an oxidant comprising molecular oxygen and a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a copper oxide.

Abstract: A method for producing tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane-2-carboxylate according to the present invention is a method for producing tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane-2-carboxylate, containing reacting tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]deca-3-ene in a dilute solution containing the tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]deca-3-ene with carbon monoxide in the presence of an acid catalyst, followed by reaction with an alcohol, wherein the dilute solution contains 100 parts by mass or more of a tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane isomer mixture based on 100 parts by mass of the tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]deca-3-ene, the tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane isomer mixture contains endo-tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane (Endo form of TCD) and exo-tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane (Exo form of TCD), and a constituent ratio thereof (Endo form of TCD/Exo form of TCD) is greater than 1.0.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a core in the shape of a particle having a characteristic length between about one micron and about one millimeter, an active material that includes a noble metal deposited on a surface of the core, and a coating that includes a first metal-oxide, where the active material is positioned between the core and the coating, the active material has a diameter between about one nanometer and about 20 nanometers, and the coating has a thickness between greater than zero nanometers and about 20 nanometers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing acrylic acid and methyl acrylate. The method comprises passing the feed gas containing dimethoxymethane and carbon monoxide through a solid acid catalyst to generate acrylic acid and methyl acrylate with a high conversion rate and selectivity at a reaction temperature in a range from 180 to 400 and a reaction pressure in a range from 0.1 MPa to 15.0 MPa, the mass space velocity of dimethoxymethane in the feed gas is in a range from 0.05 h?1 to 10.0 h?1, and the volume percentage of dimethoxymethane in the feed gas is in a range from 0.1% to 95%.

Abstract: Process (P) for the decarboxylative ketonization of fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives or mixtures thereof in the liquid phase with metal compounds as catalyst wherein the fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives or mixtures thereof are added sequentially. Downstream chemistry can be realized starting from internal ketones obtained by process (P), especially in order to design and develop new surfactants.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system that may include a reactor including a reaction zone and a gas release zone separated by a selectively permeable membrane, wherein the selectively permeable membrane permits hydrogen to pass through the membrane and substantially blocks a substrate and its dehydrogenative coupling product from passing through the membrane. Embodiments further include a method of producing a dehydrogenative coupling product, wherein the method may include exposing a substrate to a catalyst in a reaction zone of a reactor; coupling the substrate to form the dehydrogenative coupling product and hydrogen; and separating the hydrogen from the dehydrogenative coupling product using a selectively permeable membrane and passing the hydrogen to a gas release zone of the reactor.

Abstract: A process for the production of methyl acetate by carbonylating dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide at a temperature of 250 to 350° C. in the presence of a zeolite catalyst and hydrogen such that the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide is at least 1, and one or more compounds containing a hydroxyl functional group and in the absence of any added methyl acetate.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of preparing a bile acid derivative using a continuous flow reaction. When bile acid derivatives are synthesized using a continuous flow reaction according to the present invention, the reaction is very safe compared to an existing batch-type reaction, the reaction time is significantly reduced, and high-quality bile acid derivatives may be synthesized with high efficiency. In particularly, according to the present invention, a hydrogenation reaction proceeds under substantially water-free reaction conditions, and thus the conversion rate (UDCA: CDCA) of a UDCA hydrogenation reaction may be significantly enhanced.

Abstract: A process for the production of methyl acetate by carbonylating at a temperature of 250 to 350° C., in the presence of a zeolite catalyst, a feed comprising dimethyl ether, a gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen at a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide of at least 1, methyl acetate and one or more compounds containing a hydroxyl functional group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process for producing ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids or salts thereof, comprising: 1) in a first stage, contacting (a) a transition metal precursor compound comprising at least one first ligand, (b) optionally, at least one second ligand, (c) an olefin, (d) carbon dioxide (CO2), and (e) a diluent to form a first composition; 2) in a second stage, contacting a polyanionic solid with the first composition to form a second composition; and 3) in a third stage, (a) contacting the second composition with a polar solvent to release a metal salt of an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid and form a reacted solid. Methods of regenerating the polyanionic solid are described.

Abstract: This disclosure provides routes of synthesis of acrylic acid and other ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids and their salts, including catalytic methods. In an aspect, there is provided a process for producing an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, the process comprising: (1) contacting in any order a group 8-11 transition metal precursor compound comprising at least one first ligand, at least one second ligand, an olefin, carbon dioxide, a diluent, and an anionic polyaromatic resin with associated metal cations to provide a reaction mixture; and (2) applying conditions to the reaction mixture suitable to produce the ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof. Methods of regenerating the polyaromatic resin with associated metal cations are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3, 15a, 16a, 17?-tetraol (estetr-01), via a silyl enol ether derivative 17-B-oxy-3-A-oxy-estra-1,3,5(10), 16-tetraene, wherein A is a protecting group and B is —Si(R2)3. The invention further relates to a process for the synthesis of 3-A-oxy-estra-1,3,5(10), 15-tetraen-17-one, in which A is a protecting group, via silyl enol ether derivative 17-B-oxy-3-A-oxy-estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraene, and B is —Si(R2)3.

Abstract: A method for separating a homogeneous catalyst from a solution includes forming a host-guest compound between a first isomer of the catalyst and inclusion compound in the solution and isolating the host-guest compound from the solution. The catalyst may be released from the inclusion compound by converting the first isomer of the catalyst to a second isomer of the catalyst.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting mevalonic acid into various useful products and derivatives. More particularly, the process comprises reacting mevalonic acid, or a solution comprising mevalonic acid, in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to thereby form various biobased products. The process may also comprise: (a) providing a microbial organism that expresses a biosynthetic mevalonic acid pathway; (b) growing the microbial organism in fermentation medium comprising suitable carbon substrates, whereby biobased mevalonic acid is produced; and (c) reacting the biobased mevalonic acid in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to yield various biobased products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalytic process for preparing an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid salt, comprising contacting an alkene and carbon dioxide with a carboxylation catalyst being a transition metal complex, an alkoxide, and an organic solvent, to obtain an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid salt, the organic solvent being incompletely miscible with water at a pressure of 1 bar at at least one temperature T and selected from amides and ureas, T being a temperature in the range from 10° C. to 90° C.

Abstract: Methods for preparing isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems from non-isotopically modified 1,4-dienes involve selective oxidation of one or more bis-allylic position(s), or the preparation of isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems via trapping pi-allylic complexes with a source of deuterium or tritium. Such methods are useful for preparing isotopically modified polyunsaturated lipid including polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives.

Abstract: A process for producing acetic acid while efficiently separating permanganate reducing compounds (PRC's) and methyl iodide is provided. PRC's are separated or removed from a mixed composition (3A) containing PRC's and methyl iodide by distilling the mixed composition in a distillation step (5) to form an overhead stream (5A), a side-cut stream (5B), and a lower stream (5C). In a distillation column of the distillation step (5), an extractant (e.g., water) extracting PRC's preferentially to methyl iodide is added to a concentration zone in which PRC's and methyl iodide are concentrated, and an extraction mixture falling from the concentration zone is withdrawn as the side-cut stream (5B).

Abstract: A carbonylation process in the presence of a pretreated zeolite catalyst which comprises the sequential steps (i) pretreating the catalyst and (ii) carbonylating dimethyl ether with a carbon monoxide-containing gas to produce methyl acetate in which the catalyst pretreatment step (i) comprises a step (a) contacting the catalyst with a first treatment mixture comprising water vapour; and a step (b) contacting the treated catalyst of step (a) with a second treatment mixture comprising an inert gas and at least one of dimethyl ether and methanol.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for preparing acetal carbonyl compound used as an intermediate for producing ethylene glycol, which comprises a step in which a raw material acetal and a raw gas carbon monoxide go through a reactor loaded with a catalyst containing an acidic microporous silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve, for carrying out a carbonylation reaction. In the method of the present invention, the conversion rate of the raw material acetal is high, and the selectivity of acetal carbonylation is high, and the catalyst life is long, and no additional solvent is needed in the reaction process, and the reaction condition is relatively mild, and the process is continuous, showing the potential for industrial application. Moreover, the product of acetal carbonyl compound can be used for producing ethylene glycol by hydrogenation followed by hydrolysis.

Abstract: In processes for the hydrolysis of a methyl acetate with at least one of water and methanol in the presence of at least one Brønsted acid catalyst to produce acetic acid the performance of the catalyst is improved by using a methyl acetate feed in which the total amount of acetaldehyde and 1,1 dimethoxyethane impurities is maintained at 100 ppm wt or less calculated as mass equivalents of acetaldehyde.

Abstract: Reactor systems and processes produce organic acids through thermolysis of polylactones. The reactor systems and processes introduce at least one epoxide reagent and carbon monoxide reagent to at least one reaction vessel through at least one feed stream inlet. The epoxide reagent and carbon monoxide reagent contact at least one carbonylation catalyst to produce at least one beta-lactone intermediate. The beta-lactone intermediate is polymerized with at least one initiator in the presence of a metal cation to produce at least one polylactone product. The polylactone product is heated under thermolysis conditions to produce at least one organic acid product. The processes control the presence of contaminates, impurities, catalytic materials, and/or reagents to provide for highly pure organic acid products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing acrylic acid from glycerin. More specifically, the present invention provides a method which can improve the selectivity of acrolein by applying a specific catalyst composition and process conditions to minimize the generation of coke carbon of the catalyst, and can prepare acrylic acid with higher productivity for a longer duration of time because a dehydration reaction can be performed for a longer working period while maintaining catalyst activity at a high level during the reaction.

Abstract: A process for preparing a variety of secondary and tertiary alkyl formate esters via the coupling of methanol and secondary (or tertiary) alcohols. Iron-based catalysts, supported by pincer ligands, are employed to produce these formate esters in high yields and unprecedentedly high selectivities (>99%). Remarkably, the coupling strategy is also applicable to bulkier tertiary alcohols, which afford corresponding tertiary formate esters in moderately high yields and high selectivities.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for routes of synthesis of acrylic acid and other ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids and their salts, including catalytic methods. For example, there is provided a process for producing an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, the process comprising: (1) contacting in any order, a group 8-11 transition metal precursor, an olefin, carbon dioxide, a diluent, and a polyaromatic resin with associated metal cations to provide a reaction mixture; and (2) applying conditions to the reaction mixture suitable to produce the ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof. Methods of regenerating the polyaromatic resin with associated metal cations are described.

Abstract: A method for separating a homogeneous catalyst from a solution includes forming a host-guest compound between a first isomer of the catalyst and inclusion compound in the solution and isolating the host-guest compound from the solution. The catalyst may be released from the inclusion compound by converting the first isomer of the catalyst to a second isomer of the catalyst.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a catalyst used in the preparation of acrylic acid and acrylic acid preparation method using the same, and more specifically, discloses a catalyst capable of enhancing selectivity of acrylic acid and a production yield of acrylic acid when preparing acrylic acid from allyl alcohol using a heterogeneous catalyst including bimetallic alloy catalyst particles of gold and another metal, and an acrylic acid preparation method using the same.

Abstract: Provided is a catalyst for manufacturing an unsaturated aldehyde and/or an unsaturated carboxylic acid, which is prepared by a method in which a molybdenum component raw material is composed of only an ammonium molybdate, the weight of water for dissolution is 8.5 times or less relative to the weight of molybdenum contained in the ammonium molybdate; and a bismuth component raw material is composed of only bismuth nitrate, the weight of a nitric acid aqueous solution for dissolution is 2.3 times or more relative to the weight of bismuth contained in the bismuth nitrate, and a nitric acid concentration in the nitric acid aqueous solution for dissolving the bismuth nitrate is 10% by weight or more.

Abstract: A method of producing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester, preferably an ?, ? ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester. The method includes contacting formaldehyde or a suitable source thereof with a carboxylic acid or ester in the presence of a catalyst and optionally in the presence of an alcohol. The catalyst includes a nitrided metal oxide having at least two types of metal cations, M1 and M2, wherein M1 is selected from the metals of group 2, 3, 4, 13 (called also IIIA) or 14 (called also IVA) of the periodic table and M2 is selected from the metals of groups 5 or 15 (called also VA) of the periodic table.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a method for measuring the concentration of one or more components in a feed stream or reactor mixture of a process for producing acetic acid by both infrared and Raman spectroscopic analyses. In some embodiments, at least one feed stream comprising water is adjusted in response to the measured concentration of one or more components.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting mevalonic acid into various useful products and derivatives. More particularly, the process comprises reacting mevalonic acid, or a solution comprising mevalonic acid, in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to thereby form various biobased products. The process may also comprise: (a) providing a microbial organism that expresses a biosynthetic mevalonic acid pathway; (b) growing the microbial organism in fermentation medium comprising suitable carbon substrates, whereby biobased mevalonic acid is produced; and (c) reacting the biobased mevalonic acid in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to yield various biobased products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for hydrogenolysis of alpha-hydroxy esters or acids, comprising reacting the alpha-hydroxy ester or acid in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst. The present invention also relates to a method for producing propionic acid ester, and the use of any of the methods for the production of propionic acid esters, such as alkyl propionate.

Abstract: Process for the hydrolysis of a methyl acetate with at least one of water and methanol in the presence of at least one Brønsted acid catalyst to produce acetic acid. The process employs a methyl acetate feed in which the total amount of acetaldehyde and 1,1 dimethoxyethane impurities is maintained at 100 pm wt or less calculated as mass equivalents of acetaldehyde.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for routes of synthesis of acrylic acid and other ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids and their salts, including catalytic methods. For example, there is provided a process for producing an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, the process comprising: (1) contacting in any order, a group 8-11 transition metal precursor, an olefin, carbon dioxide, a diluent, and a polyaromatic resin with associated metal cations to provide a reaction mixture; and (2) applying conditions to the reaction mixture suitable to produce the ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof. Methods of regenerating the polyaromatic resin with associated metal cations are described.

Abstract: An alkylene oxide mixture containing greater than 50% by weight ethylene oxide is continuously polymerized in the presence of a double metal cyanide polymerization catalyst and certain magnesium, Group 3-Group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal compounds. The presence of the magnesium, Group 3-Group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal compound permits the polymerization to be performed continuously without premature deactivation of the double metal cyanide catalyst.

Abstract: A method of catalytic oxidation of a lignite using oxygen as an oxidant at atmospheric pressure is provided. The method includes the following steps, pulverizing the lignite to 200-mesh or less; drying the pulverized lignite at a temperature of 80° C. in vacuum for 10 h; weighing 0.5 g of the dried lignite and sequentially adding 10 ml of acetic acid, 0.5 mmol of a catalyst and 0.15-0.25 mmol of a cocatalyst into a round-bottom flask filled with the oxygen, keeping oxygen pressure at 0.1 MPa, reacting at a temperature of 80-120° C. for 4-12 h; using oxygen as the oxidant to catalytically oxidize the reacted lignite at an atmospheric pressure of 0.1 MPa; filtering after the reaction is finished; decompressing the filtrate to remove the acetic acid, adding a small amount of ethyl acetate to dissolve, and using an excess CH2N2/ether solution to esterify for 10 h at room temperature; and analyzing the esterified product through a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids are prepared by a one-step gas phase process comprising the step of contacting under halogen-free hydroxycarbonylation conditions an alkene, carbon monoxide, water, and a solid sulfide-containing catalyst.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a new route to acrylate esters via direct catalytic partial oxidation of allyl ether using heterogeneous manganese oxide catalysts. The method involves forming allyl acrylate by contacting allyl ether, where the allyl ether is in solution with a solvent, with one or more oxidants in the presence of a mesoporous manganese oxide (MnOx) catalyst. Oxygen or peroxide can be used as the oxidant. The yield of and selectivity for acrylate ester can be very high, and process efficiency is improved over current processes.

Abstract: A catalytic process for preparing an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid salt from an alkene, carbon dioxide and an alkoxide having a secondary or tertiary carbon atom directly bound to a [O?] group is described. The alcohol byproduct is distilled off after an intermediate phase separation. This provides pure ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid salt at minimum effort.

Abstract: Provided is a production method whereby corresponding carboxylic acid anhydrides and carboxylic acid esters can be obtained at high yield from various carboxylic acids even without a solvent and near room temperature. A method for producing a carboxylic acid anhydride represented by formula (II), the method comprising reacting a compound represented by formula (I) and a carboxylic acid in the presence of a Group II metal compound having an ionic ligand containing an oxygen atom. A method for producing a carboxylic acid ester, the method comprising reacting a carboxylic acid anhydride produced by the aforementioned method and an alcohol. In formula (I), R1 represents a C1-20 hydrocarbon group. In formula (II), R2 represents a C1-20 hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: A carbon nitride heterogeneous catalyst containing rhodium, a method for preparing the catalyst, and a method for preparing acetic acid using the catalyst is disclosed. The heterogeneous catalyst is characterized in that the rhodium metal is contained in carbon nitride which is a support insoluble in a liquid solvent, such as water or alcohol. Thus, the catalyst can easily be separated from a resulting product even by a simple process such as filtration. Accordingly, the carbon nitride heterogeneous catalyst exhibits excellent long-term stability and activity by being capable of overcoming the disadvantages of the method using a conventional homogeneous catalyst and minimizing the phenomenon of rhodium leaching, compared to the results of the conventional homogeneous catalytic reactions. The catalyst can thus be effectively used for the preparation of acetic acid by a carbonylation reaction between methanol and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple one step oxidative dehydrogenation process for the synthesis of alkyl pyruvate with 100% selectivity towards alkyl pyruvate comprising reacting an alkyl lactate in the presence of catalyst at the temperature ranging from 25-100° C. for the time period ranging from 5 to 40 hours in an organic solvent and hydrogen peroxide to afford alkyl pyruvate.

Abstract: A continuous flow process for the preparation of one or more esters of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or ?-hydroxy methionine analogs from a sugar in the presence of a solid Lewis acid catalyst and a solvent comprising an organic solvent and water. The invention provides a means for stabilizing a Lewis acid catalyst for use in a continuous reaction process wherein the water is present in an amount of up to or equal to 10 vol. % of the organic solvent.

Abstract: Processes for producing acetic acid and determining corrosion therein are described herein. The processes generally include contacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a liquid reaction medium under carbonylation conditions sufficient to form acetic acid, wherein the liquid reaction medium includes: a carbonylation catalyst selected from rhodium catalysts, iridium catalysts and palladium catalysts; from 1 wt. % to 14 wt. % water; and one or more, in-situ generated derivatives of the one or more additives and combinations thereof; wherein the one or more additives are independently selected from non-benzoyl containing pentavalent phosphine oxides, compound mixtures of at least four phosphine oxides and pentavalent aryl or alkaryl phosphine oxides including one or more benzoyl groups; and recovering acetic acid from the process.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of producing phosgene in a tube reactor comprises introducing a feed comprising carbon monoxide and chlorine to a tube of the reactor, the tube having a particulate catalyst disposed therein, wherein a thermally conductive material separate from the tube contacts at least a portion of the particulate catalyst; to produce a product composition comprising phosgene, and carbon tetrachloride in an amount of 0 to 10 ppm by volume based on the volume of the phosgene.

Abstract: Catalytic process for preparing an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid salt, comprising reacting an alkene and carbon dioxide in the presence of a carboxylation catalyst and releasing the ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid salt with a base, the carboxylation catalyst being a transition metal complex, which comprises a structurally constrained bidentate P,X ligand, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of P, N, O, and carbene, the P and X atom are separated by 2 to 4 bridging atoms, and wherein the bridging atoms are part of at least one 5- to 7-membered cyclic substructure. A further catalytic processes for preparing ?,?ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives from CO2 and an alkene is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel anthraquinone derivatives, 2,6-diisohexylanthracene-9,10-dione and 2,7-diisohexyl-anthracene-9,10-dione, preferably to be used for the preparation of hydrogen peroxide, and to a process for the preparation of these anthraquinone derivatives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing di- or tricarboxylic esters by alkoxycarbonylation of dienes having conjugated double bonds. The method includes the steps of initially charging a diene having two conjugated double bonds, adding a phosphine ligand according to formula (I) and a catalyst precursor, adding an alcohol, feeding in CO, and heating the reaction mixture with conversion of the diene to a di- or tricarboxylic ester.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing ?-fluoroacrylic acid esters at a high starting material conversion and a high yield. The present invention provides, as a means to achieve the object, a process for producing a compound represented by formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represent alkyl, fluoroalkyl, aryl optionally substituted with at least one substituent, halogen, or hydrogen; and R3 represents alkyl, fluoroalkyl, or aryl optionally substituted with at least one substituent, the process comprising step A of reacting a compound represented by formula (2): wherein the symbols are as defined above, with carbon monoxide and an alcohol represented by formula (3): R3—OH??(3) wherein the symbol is as defined above, in the presence of a transition metal complex catalyst containing at least one bidentate phosphine ligand and a base to thereby obtain the compound represented by formula (1).

Abstract: A process for vapor-phase carbonylation of methanol to methyl formate, whereby a feed gas containing methanol, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and oxygen is passed through a reactor loaded with a supported nano-scaled platinum group metal heterogeneous catalyst to produce methyl formate by a vapor-phase carbonylation reaction, under reaction conditions with a space velocity of 500-5000 h?1, a temperature of 50-150° C. and a pressure of 0.01-2 MPa. Supported nano-scaled platinum group metal heterogeneous catalysts are prepared via ultrasonic dispersion and calcination. Methyl formate is produced and isolated under relatively mild conditions.