The invention relates to a method for producing functionalised monomers, the method comprising: a) providing a starting material selected from terpenes and terpenoids; b) forming a derivative of the starting material by incorporation of a hydroxyl group; c) esterifying the hydroxyl group of the derivative to introduce a moiety containing a vinyl group, so as to produce a functionalised monomer. The functionalised monomer can be polymerised to obtain a bio-derived polymer.

The invention relates to a method for producing functionalised monomers, the method comprising: a) providing a starting material selected from terpenes and terpenoids; b) forming a derivative of the starting material by incorporation of a hydroxyl group; c) esterifying the hydroxyl group of the derivative to introduce a moiety containing a vinyl group, so as to produce a functionalised monomer. The functionalised monomer can be polymerised to obtain a bio-derived polymer.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a shell catalyst that is suitable for producing vinyl acetate monomer (VAM). The present invention also relates to a shell catalyst that can be obtained by the method according to the invention as well as the use of the shell catalyst according to the invention for producing VAM.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a shell catalyst that is suitable for producing vinyl acetate monomer (VAM). The present invention also relates to a shell catalyst that can be obtained by the method according to the invention as well as the use of the shell catalyst according to the invention for producing VAM.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a shell catalyst that is suitable for producing vinyl acetate monomer (VAM). The present invention also relates to a shell catalyst that can be obtained by the method according to the invention as well as the use of the shell catalyst according to the invention for producing VAM.

Provided are catalyst composites useful for the production of vinyl acetate monomer, as well as methods of making using same. The catalyst composites may comprise a support comprising silica and about 1 to about 3 wt-% alumina, wherein the support has a surface area of about 175 to about 300 m.sup.2/g; and an eggshell layer on the support comprising Pd and Au.

Provided are catalyst composites useful for the production of vinyl acetate monomer, as well as methods of making using same. The catalyst composites may comprise a support comprising silica and about 1 to about 3 wt-% alumina, wherein the support has a surface area of about 175 to about 300 m.sup.2/g; and an eggshell layer on the support comprising Pd and Au.

Provided are catalyst composites useful for the production of vinyl acetate monomer, as well as methods of making using same. The catalyst composites may comprise a support comprising silica and about 1 to about 3 wt-% alumina, wherein the support has a surface area of about 175 to about 300 m.sup.2/g; and an eggshell layer on the support comprising Pd and Au.

Disclosed herein catalyst, a catalyst substrate, a catalyst and catalyst substrate shape, and a process of acetoxylating olefins using the same. The catalyst can comprise a support material having a catalytic layer disposed thereon and having a pimpled and/or dimpled shape as defined herein. The catalytic layer can comprise palladium and gold.

Disclosed herein catalyst, a catalyst substrate, a catalyst and catalyst substrate shape, and a process of acetoxylating olefins using the same. The catalyst can comprise a support material having a catalytic layer disposed thereon and having a pimpled and/or dimpled shape as defined herein. The catalytic layer can comprise palladium and gold.