A process for the production of an acrylate comprising; providing a feed stream comprising acetic acid; providing a second feed stream comprising formaldehyde; contacting the feed streams in the presence of a catalyst and added water at conditions such that reaction occurs; recovering the reaction product; wherein the catalyst is a vanadium-titanium-phosphorous catalyst having a ratio of 1:2:5 respectively; the molar ratio of acetic acid to formaldehyde is from about 1.9:1; and wherein the water concentration is from about 10 to 40 wt% of acetic acid and/or the minimum ratio of water to alkanoic acid is about 0.14:1 on a weight basis. The weight ratio of water to formaldehyde is preferably 1.08:1. The process is preferably carried out at a temperature of from about 300 to 350°C. The vanadium in the catalyst preferably has an average oxidation state of 3.5. The catalyst preferably has an amorphous, mesoporous structure. The added water may be added as part of the acetic acid stream, formaldehyde stream or as a separate feed stream. The process is disclosed to reduce carbon laydown on the catalyst.
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