GOLD CONTAINING CATALYST, METHOD OF PREPARATION AND USE
The specification describes a method for the production of a hydrochlorination catalyst, comprising the steps of: i) preparing an impregnation solution by combining a source of gold and a ligand in a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent; ii) impregnating a support with the impregnation solution from step (i); and iii) drying the product of step (ii) to obtain the catalyst. Also described are hydrochlorination catalysts comprising a complex of gold and a ligand of Formula (I) supported on a support. These catalysts are particularly suitable for the conversion of acetylene to vinyl chloride monomer.
1 . A method for the production of a hydrochlorination catalyst, comprising the steps of:
i) preparing an impregnation solution by combining a source of gold and a ligand in a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent which comprises or consists of acetone;
ii) impregnating a support with the impregnation solution from step (i); and
iii) drying the product of step (ii) to obtain the catalyst;
wherein the ligand is of Formula (I)
wherein
X is O or S;
n is 1 or 2;
R is H or a C1 to C10 hydrocarbon group optionally including one or more heteroatoms selected from halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), oxygen or nitrogen.
2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the solvent consists of the organic solvent.
3 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the solvent consists of a mixture of organic solvent and aqueous solvent.
4 . (canceled)
5 . (canceled)
6 . (canceled)
7 . (canceled)
8 . (canceled)
9 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein the ligand is N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.
10 . A hydrochlorination catalyst comprising a complex of gold and a ligand of Formula (I)
wherein
X is O or S;
n is 1 or 2;
R is H or a C1 to C10 hydrocarbon group optionally including one or more heteroatoms selected from halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), oxygen or nitrogen; and
the complex is supported on a support.
11 . A catalyst as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the ligand is N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.
12 . A catalyst as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the support is in the form of a powder, granules or shaped particles.
13 . A catalyst as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the support is a carbon support.
14 . A process for the catalytic hydrochlorination of a substrate containing an alkyne unit, wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst according to claim 10 .
15 . A process as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the substrate is acetylene.