| abstract |
The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: providing a feed stream comprising epoxide and carbon monoxide; contacting said feed stream with a metal carbonyl in a first reaction zone to effect conversion of at least a portion of the provided epoxide to beta lactone converting; directing the effluent from said first reaction zone to a second reaction zone in which said beta lactone is subjected to conditions that convert it into a compound selected from the group consisting of: α, β unsaturated acids, α, β unsaturated esters, α, β unsaturated amides and optionally substituted polypropiolactone polymers; The final product of a saturated ester, said α-β unsaturated amide or said polypropiolactone. |