Process for the oxidative carbonylation of alcohols and method for the reoxidation of reduced copper salts produced by the oxidation carbonylation

摘要

A process for the oxidative carbonylation of alcohols with carbon monoxide using metal salt catalysts, an amine base, amine salts, and copper (II) oxidizing salts to produce a predominate amount of oxalate ester and the reoxidation of the reduced copper (II) oxidizing salts with an oxygen-containing gas under mild conditions in the presence of the amine salt. After removal of water by physical or chemical means the oxidative carbonylation reaction can be repeated without any loss of yield of the oxalate ester.