Inventors:
Richard V. Porcelli - Yonkers NY
Vijay S. Bhise - New York NY
Arnold J. Shapiro - New York NY
Assignee:
Halcon Research & Development Corp. - New York NY
International Classification:
C07C 5156
Abstract:
In the carbonylation of alkyl esters in the presence of a Group VIII noble metal catalyst to produce a reaction mixture comprising volatile components and the non-volatile Group VIII noble metal catalyst, and the volatile components are separated from the catalyst, catalyst activity is maintained by providing a partial pressure of hydrogen of at least 10 psi during the separation of the volatile products. A partial pressure of at least 15 psi of carbon monoxide is also preferably provided, particularly when a metal promoter for the Group VIII noble metal catalyst is present, during such separation.