| abstract |
Process for the co-production of carboxylic acids of the general formula R 1 -COOH and R 2 -COOH and carboxylic acid esters of general formula R 1 -COOCH Z R Z and R 2 -COOH 2 R 1 from carboxylic acid esters of general formula R 1 -COOR 2 and/or ethers of general formula R 3 OR 4 (R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 representing (substituted) alkyl or (substituted) aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl, R' also representing H), carbon monoxide and hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a ruthenium compound, a further Group VIII metal compound, a compound of penta-valent phosphorus, arsenic or antimony and a compound R 5 Hal or R 5 COHal where R 5 has one of the meanings given for R 2 and Hal is iodine or bromine, the reaction mixture being substantially free from other transition metal or Group II metal iodides or bromides. The process is of special interest for the selective conversion of methyl acetate into ethyl acetate and acetic acid at pressures well below 100 bar. |