| abstract |
An oxide catalyst containing molybdenum, palladium and at least two other elements, e.g. vanadium, niobium, antimony and calcium, is used for the selective production of acetic acid from a mixture of ethane and/or ethylene and oxygen. A process for the selective production of acetic acid from a gaseous feed containing ethane and/or ethylene and oxygen, at elevated temperatures, comprises contacting the gas mixture with a catalyst containing molybdenum (Mo), palladium (Pd) and other elements (X,Y) of composition ratio: MoaPdbXcYd (I), in combination with oxygen. X = Cr, Mn, Nb, Ta, Ti, V, Te and/or W; Y = B, Al, Ga, In, Pt, Zn, Cd, Bi, Ce, Co, Rh, Ir, Cu, Ag, Au, Fe, Ru, Os, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Nb, Zr, Hf, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Si, Sn, Tl and/or U; a = 1; b = 0.0001-0.01; c = 0.4-1; d = 0.005-1. The space-time yield for oxidation to acetic acid is \- 150 kg/hour/m<3>. An Independent claim is also included for a selective oxidation catalyst. |