Abstract: The present invention provides a precursor film for producing a conductive film, the precursor film including: a substrate; a primer layer disposed on the substrate; and a plated layer precursor layer disposed on the primer layer, in which the plated layer precursor layer includes a bifunctional radical-polymerizable monomer and a polymer having a functional group which interacts with a plating catalyst or a precursor of the plating catalyst, and the bifunctional radical-polymerizable monomer has 25 to 100 atoms in a main chain of a linking chain which links two radical-polymerizable groups.

Abstract: A method is described for the production of sorbic anhydride, in which alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts of sorbic acid are reacted with phosgene in an inert organic solvent. In addition, use thereof as a preservative in foods, in particular drinks, is described.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a carbonylation catalyst with carbon monoxide recovered from a gaseous stream derived from a carbonylation reaction. The carbon monoxide enriched stream is fed downstream of the carbonylation reactor, preferably to a flasher or light ends column, to enhance catalyst stability throughout the process.

Abstract: A method of making acetic anhydride or a mixture of acetic anhydride and acetic acid comprising: (a) catalytically reacting a feedstock containing methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a homogeneous rhodium catalyst and methyl iodide in a reactor vessel which contains a substantially anhydrous liquid reaction mixture including acetic acid, acetic anhydride, methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether, methyl iodide and the homogeneous catalyst, the reactor vessel being operated at a reactor pressure; (b) withdrawing reaction mixture from the reaction vessel and feeding the withdrawn reaction mixture along with additional carbon monoxide to a pre-flasher/post reactor vessel operated at a reduced pressure below the reactor vessel pressure; (c) venting light ends in the pre-flasher vessel and concurrently consuming methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether in the pre-flasher/post reactor vessel to produce a pre-flash mixture which is enriched in acetic anhydride and diminished in methy

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing carboxylic acid anhydrides by the carbonylation reaction of a carboxylic acid ester, derived from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, with carbon monoxide containing a small amount of hydrogen in a liquid reaction medium in the presence of a Group VIII B catalyst to produce a carboxylic acid anhydride. The liquid reaction medium comprises the Group VIII B catalyst, an organic halide, the carboxylic acid ester, an alkali metal salt, the carboxylic acid anhydride, the carboxylic acid, N-acetylimidazole as a protecting agent, and ethylidene diacetate (EDA) as an organic promoter. By making use of the protecting agent of N-acetylimidazole, metal ions in the reactor can be prevented from reacting with EDA so as to reduce the formation of hardly-soluble tars during the reaction. Also, the EDA organic promoter is kept at a certain content in the system to promote the overall carbonylation reaction rate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the coproduction of acetic acid and acetic anhydride by producing in a first carbonylation reactor a carbonylation product mixture containing acetic anhydride, removing the carbonylation mixture from the first carbonylation reactor, contacting the carbonylation mixture with methanol to react with and convert some or all of the acetic anhydride contained in the mixture to acetic acid and methyl acetate, feeding the resulting reaction composition to a second carbonylation reactor and contacting the reaction composition to carbonylation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing carboxylic acid anhydrides by the carbonylation reaction of a carboxylic acid ester, derived from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, with carbon monoxide containing a small amount of hydrogen in a liquid reaction medium in the presence of a Group VIII B catalyst to produce a carboxylic acid anhydride. The liquid reaction medium comprises the Group VIII B catalyst, an organic halide, the carboxylic acid ester, an alkali metal salt, the carboxylic acid anhydride, the carboxylic acid, N-acetylimidazole as a protecting agent, and ethylidene diacetate (EDA) as an organic promoter. By making use of the protecting agent of N-acetylimidazole, metal ions in the reactor can be prevented from reacting with EDA so as to reduce the formation of hardly-soluble tars during the reaction. Also, the EDA organic promoter is kept at a certain content in the system to promote the overall carbonylation reaction rate.

Abstract: A process for producing carboxylic acid anhydrides by the carbonylation reaction of a carboxylic acid ester, derived from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, with carbon monoxide containing a small amount of hydrogen in a liquid reaction medium in the presence of a Group VIII B catalyst to produce a carboxylic acid anhydride. The reaction medium comprises the Group VIII B catalyst, an organic halide, the carboxylic acid ester, an alkali metal salt, the carboxylic acid anhydride, the carboxylic acid, and at least one ionic liquid consisting of a cation and an anion where the cation of the ionic liquid has a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structure. The ionic liquid has at least one of the following structural forms: The reaction rate of the carbonylation reaction is increased by the use of the specified ionic liquid promoters.

Abstract: A method of making acetic anhydride or a mixture of acetic anhydride and acetic acid comprising: (a) catalytically reacting a feedstock containing methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a homogeneous rhodium catalyst and methyl iodide in a reactor vessel which contains a substantially anhydrous liquid reaction mixture including acetic acid, acetic anhydride, methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether, methyl iodide and the homogeneous catalyst, the reactor vessel being operated at a reactor pressure; (b) withdrawing reaction mixture from the reaction vessel and feeding the withdrawn reaction mixture along with additional carbon monoxide to a pre-flasher/post reactor vessel operated at a reduced pressure below the reactor vessel pressure; (c) venting light ends in the pre-flasher vessel and concurrently consuming methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether in the pre-flasher/post reactor vessel to produce a pre-flash mixture which is enriched in acetic anhydride and diminished in methy

Abstract: The present invention is directed to using methyl acetate from a vinyl acetate-based or a vinyl-or ethylene-alcohol based polymer or copolymer process directly for use in a methanol carbonylation production process to produce acetic acid, acetic anhydride, or a coproduction of each. Methyl acetate is a by-product of commercial polyvinyl-alcohol or alkene vinyl alcohol copolymer-based processes. Generally, this material is processed to recover methanol and acetic acid. Discussed herein is a cost-saving scheme to by-pass the methyl acetate processing at production or plant facilities and utilize the methyl acetate in an integrated methanol carbonylation unit. The scheme discussed eliminates an expensive hydrolysis step often associated with the polymer process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of acetic acid or mixtures of acetic acid and acetic anhydride in a carbonylation process wherein a mixture comprising methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether and methyl iodide is contacting in the liquid phase with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst at elevated pressures and temperatures. Methanol, water, or a mixture thereof is added to an acetic anhydride-containing stream within a flash evaporation zone to convert some or all of the acetic anhydride to acetic acid and optionally methyl acetate and to provide heat for the evaporation of a portion of the product effluent produced by the carbonylation process.

Abstract: A process for producing carboxylic acid anhydrides by the carbonylation reaction of a carboxylic acid ester, derived from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, with carbon monoxide containing a small amount of hydrogen in a liquid reaction medium in the presence of a Group VIII B catalyst to produce a carboxylic acid anhydride. The reaction medium comprises the Group VIII B catalyst, an organic halide, the carboxylic acid ester, an alkali metal salt, the carboxylic acid anhydride, the carboxylic acid, and at least one ionic liquid consisting of a cation and an anion where the cation of the ionic liquid has a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structure. The ionic liquid has at least one of the following structural forms: The reaction rate of the carbonylation reaction is increased by the use of the specified ionic liquid promoters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing carboxylic acid anhydrides, in which a carboxylic acid ester, derived from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, and carbon monoxide containing a small amount of hydrogen are used as raw materials and subjected to a carbonylation reaction in a liquid reaction medium in the presence of a Group VIII B catalyst to produce a carboxylic acid anhydride. The reaction medium comprises the Group VIII B catalyst, an organic halide, the carboxylic acid ester, an alkali metal salt, at least one organic promoter, the carboxylic acid anhydride and the carboxylic acid, wherein the organic promoter is selected from at least one of the following structural forms (I), (II) and (III). According to the process of the present invention, the reaction rate of the carbonylation reaction is increased by the use of the specified organic promoters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing carboxylic acid anhydrides, in which a carboxylic acid ester, derived from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, and carbon monoxide containing a small amount of hydrogen are used as raw materials and subjected to a carbonylation reaction in a liquid reaction medium in the presence of a Group VIII B catalyst to produce a carboxylic acid anhydride. The reaction medium comprises the Group VIII B catalyst, an organic halide, the carboxylic acid ester, an alkali metal salt, at least one organic promoter, the carboxylic acid anhydride and the carboxylic acid, wherein the organic promoter is selected from at least one of the following structural forms (I), (II) and (III). According to the process of the present invention, the reaction rate of the carbonylation reaction is increased by the use of the specified organic promoters.

Abstract: Formic acid and a carboxylic acid having at least two carbon atoms and/or derivatives thereof are prepared jointly by a process in which (a) a formic ester (I) is transesterified with a carboxylic acid having at least two carbon atoms (II) to form formic acid (III) and the corresponding carboxylic ester (IV); and (b) at least part of the carboxylic ester (IV) formed in step (a) is carbonylated to give the corresponding carboxylic anhydride (V).

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an carboxylic anhydride by reaction of an ethylenically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and an carboxylic acid in the presence of a catalyst involving: a) a source of a group VIII metal; b) a bidentate diphosphine of formula I, ?wherein R1 represents a bivalent radical that together with the phosphorus atom to which it is attached is an optionally substituted 2-phospha-tricyclo[3.3.1.1 {3,7}]-decyl group or a derivative thereof in which one or more of the carbon atoms are replaced by heteroatoms (“2-PA” group); wherein R2 and R3 independently represent univalent radicals of up to 20 atoms or jointly form a bivalent radical of up to 20 atoms; and ?wherein R represents a bivalent organic bridging group; and, c) a complexing anion; wherein the complexing anion is the anion of the carboxylic acid. A process wherein the carboxylic acid is prepared in-situ and use of the carboxylic anhydride as an acylation agent.

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: The invention relates to a polymer-supported carbonylation catalyst and its use in a process for preparing organic carboxylic acid or anhydride having n+1 carbon atoms. The invention relates also to a process for preparing organic carboxylic acid or anhydride having n+1 carbon atoms by carbonylating with monoxide, in the presence of the above-mentioned carbonylation catalyst, on alcohols having n carbon atoms, ethers having 2n carbon atoms or esters formed from said alcohols and acids. In particular, the invention relates to a process for preparing acetic acid by carbonylating methanol with carbon monooxide in the presence of said carbonylation catalyst. By using said carbonylation catalyst, the temperature for carbonylation can be lowered to about 160° C. with a reaction rate better than that of a traditional process, while the tendency of catalyst precipitation in the course of carbonylation can be improved also.

Abstract: In a liquid phase carbonylation process for the production of acetic anhydride by reacting a feed stream which includes methyl acetate, methanol and carbon monoxide using a Group VIII metal-containing catalyst, and preferably a rhodium containing material, a liquid reaction product is continuously withdrawn from the carbonylation zone and fed to an evaporation/separation zone for separating volatile constituents of the reaction from the non-volatile constituents which, includes a portion of the Group VIII metal catalyst from the carbonylation reactor. The Group VIII metal catalyst is contacted with a gas stream which includes hydrogen for a period of from about 0.001 seconds to about 200 seconds as it is being returned to the carbonylation zone.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of allylic butenol or butenyl ester of a carboxylic acid (e.g., crotyl acetate, 3-acetoxybutene-1 and mixtures thereof) in an anhydrous carboxylic acid solvent and production of beta-gamma unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride (e.g., 3-pentenoic acid anhydride) utilizing a rhodium-containing catalyst (e.g., dicarbonylacetylacetonate rhodium(I)) promoted with a metal iodide (e.g., dicarbonylacetylacetonate rhodium(I), or the like). The following representative reaction showing a crotyl ester (i.e., a carboxylic acid ester of 2-buten-1-ol) as the reactant producing a corresponding pentenoic acid anhydride is illustrative of the overall carbonylation. ##STR1## Suitable allylic compounds are of the form ##STR2## where one of the groups R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 is methyl and the other two groups are H and wherein R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of H and ##STR3## wherein R.sup.5 is selected from the group consisting of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl.

Abstract: Process to prepare a pentenoic acid anhydride in the pressence of a catalyst comprising palladium and an organic phosphine ligand, wherein the corresponding alkoxycarbonyl butene is reacted with carbon monoxide at a temperature between 50 and 130.degree. C. and that the phosphine is a monodentate phosphine or a bidentate phosphine.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl alcohol and/or a reactive derivative thereof by contacting a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl alcohol and/or a reactive derivative thereof with carbon monoxide in a liquid reaction composition in a carbonylation reactor in the presence of (a) a rhodium catalyst (b) an alkyl halide, and (c) as promoter, at least one of ruthenium and osmium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing acetic anhydride by the reaction of methyl acetate, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen at elevated temperatures and pressures in the presence of an alkyl halide and a heterogeneous, bifunctional catalyst that contains an insoluble polymer having pendant quaternized phosphine groups, some of which phosphine groups are ionically bonded to anionic Group VIII metal complexes, the remainder of the phosphine groups being bonded to iodide. In contrast to prior art processes, no accelerator (promoter) is necessary to achieve the catalytic reaction and the products are easily separated from the catalyst by filtration. The catalyst can be recycled for consecutive runs without loss in activity. Bifunctional catalysts for use in carbonylating dimethyl ether are also provided.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing acetic anhydride alone or acetic anhydride and acetic acid by reacting methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether and, optionally, water and/or methanol, with carbon monoxide alone or carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium compound and methyl iodide as principal catalysts. Trace impurities causative of tar formation are distilled and separated in an evaporator and/or a subsequent refining step to remove the same. The removal of the trace impurities causative of tar formation serves to decrease the amount of tar formed as an impurity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for selectively producing acetic acid and/or methyl acetate by the gas phase carbonylation of methanol with carbon monoxide; an improved process for producing acetic anhydride directly from the methyl acetate; and a novel method for sustaining the life time of a carbonylation or a hydroformylation catalyst by pretreating the carbon monoxide or the synthesis gas to be used in carrying out the gas phase carbonylation or the hydroformylation.

Abstract: A concentrated catalyst solution used in a carbonylation reaction in which methyl acetate or dimethyl ether is chemically bonded with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a rhodium compound and an alkali metal iodide to produce acetic anhydride is subjected to a carbonylation treatment with carbon monoxide, or a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, before it is applied to a process for separating the tar contained in the catalyst solution, thereby increasing the iodide ion content of the catalyst solution and enabling the rhodium compound to be stabilized.The balances between the rhodium concentration, the alkali metal concentration and the iodine concentration of the carbonylation reaction system are not disturbed, even when the catalyst solution as reprocessed is returned to the carbonylation reaction system.

Abstract: To prepare acetic acid and acetic anhydride, methanol and methyl acetate are reacted under anhydrous conditions with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system containing carbonyl complexes of group VIII noble metals, methyl iodide, an alkali metal acetate or iodide, or quaternary organophosphonium or organoammonium acetate or iodide, The hot carbonylation mixture is decompressed, the evaporated components are fed to a first distillation zone, and the catalyst solution which remains is fed back to the reaction zone. In the first distillation zone, the volatile carbonylation products are subjected to fractional distillation; the low-boiling methyl iodide and methyl acetate pass back into the reaction zone, and the bottom product produced is a mixture of acetic acid and acetic anhydride, which is split into the pure components in a second distillation zone and a third distillation zone.

Abstract: In the process for recovery of Group VIII noble metal carbonylation catalyst from a process stream which also contains tar produced during a carbonylation process for carboxylic acid anhydride production, the process stream is diluted with alkyl halide and then extracted with a water, carboxylic acid, iodide salt alkyl halide solution, the iodide salt being a co-promoter derived from the carbonylation process. The recovered noble metal may be recycled to the carbonylation process with iodide salt co-promoter.

Abstract: Acetic acid and/or acetic anhydride containing methyl crotonate, vinyl acetate, or both as impurities, is contacted with ozone in an amount of excess molar to the carbon-carbon double bond in said methyl crotonate and/or vinyl acetate and the impurities produced by ozone-treatment are removed off by distillation. A large quantity of impurities such as aldehydes are produced after treatment by treating acetic acid and/or acetic anhydride containing much amount of unsaturated compounds as impurities with ozone. Distilling the ozone-treated acetic acid and/or acetic anhydride make it possible to remove methyl crotonate and vinyl acetate, which are unsaturated compounds difficult to remove by the conventional separation methods, to give high-quality acetic acid and/or acetic anhydride excellent in the residence time in the potassium permanganate test.

Abstract: A process for the production of a carboxylic acid anhydride comprises contacting a reaction composition comprising a carboxylic acid ester, a hydrocarbyl halide and/or a hydrocarbyl ether reactant and a hydrocarbyl halide promoter with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising an insoluble polymer support having pendant quaternised N-base or alkylated N-oxide pyridine groups supporting a rhodium species in which process the rhodium species is prevented from leaching from the polymer support by maintaining throughout the process a finite concentration of carboxylic acid anhydride in the reaction composition.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an aromatic carbonate or polycarbonate from a phenol or bisphenol, methanol, carbon monoxide and oxygen comprising the steps of 1) reacting phenol or bisphenol with acetic anhydride to form (bis)phenyl acetate; 2) reacting dimethyl carbonate with (bis)phenyl acetate from step 1 to produce a phenyl carbonate or polycarbonate and methyl acetate; and 3) reacting the methyl acetate with carbon monoxide to produce acetic anhydride for use in step 1. In a desirable embodiment the dimethyl carbonate may also be prepared by reaction of methanol, carbon monoxide and oxygen.

Abstract: A distillation process for the separation of acetic anhydride from a mixture thereof with ethylidene diacetate wherein the mixture of acetic anhydride and ethylidene diacetate is fed to the mid section of a distillation column and a small amount of acetic acid is fed separately to the lower section of the column. The addition of the acetic acid suppresses tar formation during the distillation process.

Abstract: The solubility and stability of rhodium catalysts in rhodium-catalysed carbonylation of alkyl esters or alkyl ethers under substantially anhydrous conditions to produce carboxylic acid anhydrides is improved by the use of co-promoters selected from the group:1,3-dialkyl-4-methylimidazolium iodide;1,3-dialkyl-4-ethylimidazolium iodide;1,3-dialkyl-4-n-propylimidazolium iodide;1,3-dialkyl-4-isopropylimidazolium iodide;1,3-dialkyl-4-n-butylimidazolium iodide1,3-dialkyl-4-sec-butylimidazolium iodide1,3-dialkyl-4-tert-butylimidazolium iodide;1,3-dialkyl-2,4,5-trimethylimidazolium iodide and mixtures thereof wherethe alkyl groups are independently C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 alkyl.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process for the preparation of acetic anhydride which comprises carbonylating a mixture comprising (i) methyl iodide and (ii) methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether in the presence of a rhodium catalyst and a promoter wherein the concentration of mesityl oxide in the carbonylation mixture is suppressed by the presence therein of at least 100 ppm of dissolved ferrous and/or cobaltous ion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for the removal of acetone from a production system wherein acetic anhydride is produced by contacting a mixture comprising methyl iodide and methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst or catalyst system. The process comprises two distillation steps wherein acetone is separated from a mixture of methyl acetate, methyl iodide and acetone.

Abstract: Methylene and oxymethylene bis-esters are produced by the reaction of an aliphatic ester of a carboxylic acid, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of a Group VIII noble transition metal compound, an iodide or bromide promoter, and a proton donor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of acetic anhydride, characterized in that a gas containing essentially CO, at a pressure of at least 1 MPa, is reacted with methyl formate in the presence ofa) a rhodium-based catalyst,b) two iodine-containing promoters of different kind, successively ionic and covalent, andc) an N-substituted cyclic amide as solvent.

Abstract: Esters such as methyl acetate which contain carbonyl impurities including aldehydes are purified by adding to the esters an amino compound which reacts with the carbonyls to form water soluble nitrogenous derivatives, separating an organic ester phase from an aqueous derivative phase, and distilling the ester phase to further remove heavier impurities. The formation of nitrile from the nitrogenous derivative is minimized by adding water to the distillation column or washing the aqueous bottoms from distillation with water to further remove the derivatives from any ester contained in the bottoms. The organic phase recovered from the bottoms can be recycled to the distillation to recover ester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing acetic acid, acetic acid methyl ester or acetic anhydride or mixtures thereof by converting a synthesis gas mainly containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, by first converting the synthesis gas catalytically into a gas mixture containing methanol and dimethyl ether and then carbonylating this mixture catalytically into acetic acid and/or methyl acetate and/or acetic anhydride.

Abstract: Ethylidene diacetate is prepared by treating at least one member of the group consisting of methyl acetate and dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a source of halide under substantially anhydrous conditions.

Abstract: A process for removing metallic corrosion products from carbonylation reactions which are carried out under anhydrous conditions and in which methyl acetate and/or methanol and/or dimethyl ether are reacted over a noble metal catalyst system which comprises a noble metal of group VIII of the periodic table of the elements, a co-catalyst, such as iodide or bromide, in particular methyl iodide, and a promoter, such as an organophosphonium or organoammonium salt, and if appropriate a lithium salt, to give acetic acid and/or acetic anhydride is described, the process comprisinga) bringing the reaction solution which is contaminated with metallic corrosion products and contains the catalyst system into contact with an ion exchanger;b) separating this reaction solution which has been brought into contact in this way from the ion exchanger;c) desorbing the promoter adsorbed on the ion exchanger before regeneration with acetic acid and/or acetic anhydride;d) combining the eluate obtained in step c) with the reaction

Abstract: Alkylidene diesters such as ethylidene diacetate are produced by reacting an ether and/or an ester under substantially anhydrous conditions with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in contact with a catalyst system comprising a rhodium compound and a halogen component at a temperature in the range from 125.degree. to 300.degree. C. and at a carbon monoxide partial pressure in the range from about 1.0 to 1100 kg/cm.sup.2. When ethylidene diacetate is the product, it can then be decomposed to produce vinyl acetate and acetic acid by well-known techniques. Since one mole of acetic acid is also produced in the synthesis of the diacetate, the invention makes possible an overall process for the production of vinyl acetate which produces acetic acid rather than consumes it.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oxidative process for recovering rhodium catalyst values from "tars" formed during the preparation of acetic anhydride by the rhodium catalyzed carbonylation of a mixture of methyl iodide and methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether. The disclosed process includes the treatment of a tar/methyl iodide solution, which contains rhodium values normally not extracted by aqueous hydrogen iodide, with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid.

Abstract: Unsaturated ketones such as mesityl oxide may be removed from acetic anhydride, or mixtures of acetic anhydride and acetic acid, by heating a solution comprising (1) acetic anhydride, or a mixture of acetic anhydride and acetic acid, (2) an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ketone, (3) ferrous (Fe II) and/or cobaltous (Co II) ion, (4) a cation selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, quaternary organoammonium, quaternary organophosphonium and mixtures thereof, and (5) iodide ion.

Abstract: In a process for the purification and recovery of a contaminated catalyst solution produced during carbonylation of methanol and/or methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether and containing carbonyl complexes of rhodium, organic and/or inorganic promoters, undistillable organic impurities and acetic acid, acetic anhydride and ethylidene diacetate, the organic impurities and acetic acid, acetic anhydride and ethylidene diacetate are removed from the contaminatd catalyst solution by extraction at pressures from 35 to 450 bar and temperatures from 0.degree. to 120.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the production of organic carboxylic acids and organic carboxylic acid anhydrides by the catalytic reaction of an alcohol of the formula ROH and carbon monoxide in contact with an organic ester source and a homogeneous catalyst system of rhodium metal atom, a phosphorus containing ligand in which there is present at least one oxo (.dbd.

Abstract: A process for the production of ethylidene diacetate by the catalytic reaction of dimethyl acetal, methyl acetate and carbon monoxide in contact with a homogeneous catalyst system containing rhodium metal atom and lithium iodide.

Abstract: Methylene and oxymethylene bis-esters are produced by the reaction of an aliphatic ester of a carboxylic acid, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of a Group VIII noble transition metal compound, an iodide or bromide promoter, and a proton donor.

Abstract: A process for purifying and recovering the contaminated catalyst solution arising from the carbonylation of methanol, methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether. The solution contains carbonyl complexes of rhodium, quaternary organophosphorus compounds as organic promoters, undistillable organic impurities, and acetic acid, acetic anhydride and ethylidene diacetate. The carbonyl complex of rhodium together with acetic acid, acetic anhydride and ethylidene diacetate are extracted from the contaminated catalyst solution by using a tri-C.sub.3 - to C.sub.8 -alkylphosphine. The trialkylphosphine phase is separated from the promoter phase and is separated into the volatile constituents acetic acid, acetic anhydride and ethylidene diacetate as well as trialkylphosphine. The rhodium carbonyl complex remaining as the residue and the recovered trialkylphosphine is used for further extraction.

Abstract: In a process for removing the metallic corrosion products from a contaminated catalyst solution produced on carbonylation of methanol and/or methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether and containing carbonyl complexes of noble metals from group VIII of the Periodic Table of the elements, quaternary organo-phosphorus compounds as organic promoters, metallic corrosion products and acetic acid, acetic anhydride, ethylidene diacetate and, in some cases, undistillable organic compounds, the catalyst solution is treated with water, the noble metal carbonyl complex and the undistillable organic compounds, if present, being precipitated, while the organic promoter and the metallic corrosion products remain in solution; the aqueous phase is separated from the precipitated noble metal carbonyl complex and the organic promoter is extracted from the aqueous phase using C.sub.4 -C.sub.