Cobalt-catalyzed oxidation of C.sub.3 to C.sub.7 saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons to oxygenated products including acetic acid

摘要

A process for the production of oxygenated organic compounds including a substantial proportion of acetic acid by oxidizing a C.sub.3 to C.sub.7 saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon in the liquid phase with molecular oxygen in the presence of an inert reaction medium and a cobalt catalyst, between 5 and 90% in a continuous reaction and 11 and 90% in a batch reaction of the cobalt being introduced in the +3 oxidation state. The process is particularly applicable to the embodiment wherein the catalyst solution is recycled to the oxidation reaction. In order to achieve this a low-residue time distillation unit is preferably employed.