Process for the palladium and phosphine ligand catalyzed carbonylation of ethylene

摘要

A process for the liquid-phase carbonylation of ethylene, according to the equation C₂H₄+CO+ROH_→C₂H₅CO₂R, in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a Group VIII metal or compound thereof, a phosphine ligand and a source of anions, and in the presence of water or a source of organic hydroxyl groups, is carried out in conditions in which the molar ratio of ethylene to carbon monoxide in the gaseous phase of the reactor is greater than 1:1. The higher ratios of ethylene to carbon monoxide are beneficial in increasing the turnover number of the catalyst system.