| abstract |
In a process for the production of acetic acid by carbonylation of methanol and/or its reactive derivative in the liquid phase in the presence of an iridium carbonylation catalyst, a methyl iodide co-catalyst and a promoter, the beneficial effect of the promoter is enhanced by continuously maintaining in the liquid reaction composition, no greater than 6.5 % by weight water, 1 to 35 % by weight methyl acetate and 4 to 20 % by weight methyl iodide. |