CATALYTIC PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A CARBOXYLIC ACID ESTER BY CARBONYLATION OF AN OLEFIN IN THE PRESENCE OF AN ALCOHOL

摘要

A carboxylic acid ester, such as methyl propionate, is prepared by carbonylation of an olefin, such as ethylene in the presence of an alcohol by the use of a molybdenum-nickel or tungsten-nickel co-catalyst in the presence of a promoter comprising an organo-phosphorus compound or an organo-nitrogen compound wherein the phosphorus and nitrogen are trivalent and in the presence of a halide.