Catalyst for the gas phase production of carboxylic acids
Carboxylic acids are prepared by a one-step gas phase process comprising the step of contacting under halogen-free hydroxycarbonylation conditions an alkene, carbon monoxide, water, and a solid sulfide-containing catalyst.
1. A gas phase process comprising producing a carboxylic acid by contacting at a temperature of from more than 250° C. to 400° C. under halogen-free hydroxycarbonylation conditions an alkene, carbon monoxide gas, water and a solid metal sulfide catalyst comprising at least one Group VIII metal, other than Pd.
2. The process of claim 1 in which the catalyst comprises at least one of cobalt, nickel, rhodium and, ruthenium.
3. The process of claim 2 in which the catalyst comprises at least one of cobalt, nickel, and, ruthenium.
4. The process of claim 1 in which the alkene comprises at least one alkene selected from the group of (a) a monoolefinic alkene and (b) a polyolefinic alkene.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein the process is continuous.
6. The process of claim 1 in which the alkene is ethylene in the gas phase.
7. The process of claim 1 in which the hydroxycarbonylation conditions include a pressure from 0.1 MPa to 10 MPa.
8. The process of claim 1 conducted in a trickle-bed reactor.
9. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is supported.
10. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is cobalt sulfide.
11. The process of claim 1 wherein the alkene is ethylene.
12. A gas phase, continuous process comprising producing propionic acid by contacting at a temperature of from more than 250° C. to 400° C., at a pressure of 0.1 MPa to 10 MPa, and under hydroxycarbonylation conditions ethylene, carbon monoxide gas, water and a solid metal sulfide catalyst comprising at least one Group VIII metal, other than Pd, wherein the process comprises less than 1 ppm halogen based on the combined weight of the reactants.