Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved process wherein an olefin, an alcohol, or an ester, halide or ether derivative of said alcohol is reacted with carbon monoxide in a liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst system that contains (a) a rhodium component, and (b) an iodine or bromine component. By passing at least a portion of the liquid reaction mass from the reaction zone to a separation zone of substantially lower CO partial pressure, at least a portion of the carbonylation products, as well as unreacted carbon monoxide, inert gases, and unreacted olefin, alcohol, or alcohol derivatives are vaporized and can be withdrawn from the separation zone. Precipitation of the rhodium catalyst under carbon monoxide deficient conditions is prevented or retarded by addition to the system of a stabilizer component selected from N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-o-phenylenediamine and 2,3'-dipyridyl.

Abstract: Water, primary alcohols or secondary alcohols together with carbon monoxide can be added across ethylenic or acetylenic bonds in a wide variety of organic compounds to form acids or esters. The reaction is conducted in the presence of a catalyst system consisting of an organophosphorus palladium halide compound and certain metal halide compounds.

Abstract: There is provided an improved continuous homogeneous catalytic carbonylation process wherein a mixed gas stream is removed from the carbonylation reactor, condensable liquids separated from said gas stream and said gas stream vented, the improvement comprising contacting said gas stream with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes selectively permeable to hydrogen under conditions substantially non-degrading of the membranes to generate a non-permeated gas stream of higher carbon monoxide content and recycling said non-permeated gas stream to the carbonylation process reactor. There is also provided for the recovery and recycle to the process of carbonylation products such as acetic or propionic acids by adsorption and removal from a solid adsorbent or absorption in a liquid absorbent.