GB1363961A - Preparation of carboxylic acids from olefins - Google Patents

Abstract

1363961 Carboxylic acids BP CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL Ltd 9 Jan 1973 [3 Feb 1972] 5037/72 Heading C2C Carboxylic acids, (n+1)C, are prepared by reacting an olefine, nC, in the liquid phase with carbon monoxide and water at elevated temperatures in the presence, as catalyst, of a cationic complex of rhodium or iridium wherein the cationic complex catalyst is a radical other than halide (n is an integer between 2 and 20). Ethylene propylene, the butenes and pentenes may be used with univalent or trivalent rhodium or iridium compounds, e.g. of formula and [ML s (CO) t S u R p X q ] k A, where M is Rh or Ir, L is the stabilizing ligand, CO is the carbonyl ligand, S is the solvent ligand, A is anim other than halide, m, n and l are integers from 0 to 5, n + m + l # 5, k is an integer, X is an iodide or bromide ligand, R is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl 1-20C, or aryl 6-20C, s, t and u are integers 0 to 4, s + t + u # 4, p and q are integers such that when p = 1, q = 1 when p = 2, q = 0 and when p=0, q=2. Many compounds are listed and the catalysts may be supported and include promoters such as halogens or halogen compounds. The reaction may be carried out in a solvent and examples describe the preparation of propionic acid from ethylene.