A catalyst includes a support, where the support includes an external surface, about 60 wt % to about 99 wt % silica, and about 1.0 wt % to about 5.0 wt % alumina. A catalytic layer is disposed within the support adjacent to the external surface, where the catalytic layer further includes Pd, Au, and potassium acetate (KOAc). In the catalyst, (a) the KOAc is from about 60 kg/m.sup.3 to about 150 kg/m.sup.3 of the catalyst; or (b) the catalytic layer has an average thickness from about 50 m to about 150 m; or (c) both (a) and (b). The catalyst also possesses a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of about 130 m.sup.2/g to about 300 m.sup.2/g and a geometric surface area per packed bed volume from about 550 m.sup.2/m.sup.3 to about 1500 m.sup.2/m.sup.3. The catalyst is highly active for the synthesis of vinyl acetate monomer and exhibits a high selectivity for vinyl acetate monomer.

A method of producing a bis-acyloxylated exomethylene compound represented by general formula (III), including reacting a monoacyloxylated exomethylene compound represented by general formula (I), a carboxylic acid represented by general formula (II), and oxygen in a liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst and optionally a solvent: ##STR00001##

A method of producing a bis-acyloxylated exomethylene compound represented by general formula (III), including reacting a monoacyloxylated exomethylene compound represented by general formula (I), a carboxylic acid represented by general formula (II), and oxygen in a liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst and optionally a solvent: ##STR00001##

Disclosed is a supported catalyst for the preparation of vinyl acetate monomer, a process for preparing the supported catalyst in tablet or pellet form, and a catalytic process for the manufacturing vinyl acetate using the supported catalyst. Specifically, it is shown that catalyst performance shows a strong dependence on the crush strength of the tableted or pelletized alumina support used in the process to make the catalyst, and that the crush strength of the catalyst is closely related to the porosity of the support. Catalyst activity and selectivity can be enhanced by tailoring the crush strength of the support.

Disclosed is a supported catalyst for the preparation of vinyl acetate monomer, a process for preparing the supported catalyst in tablet or pellet form, and a catalytic process for the manufacturing vinyl acetate using the supported catalyst. Specifically, it is shown that catalyst performance shows a strong dependence on the crush strength of the tableted or pelletized alumina support used in the process to make the catalyst, and that the crush strength of the catalyst is closely related to the porosity of the support. Catalyst activity and selectivity can be enhanced by tailoring the crush strength of the support.

Disclosed is a supported catalyst for the preparation of vinyl acetate monomer, a process for preparing the supported catalyst in tablet or pellet form, and a catalytic process for the manufacturing vinyl acetate using the supported catalyst. Specifically, it is shown that catalyst performance shows a strong dependence on the crush strength of the tableted or pelletized alumina support used in the process to make the catalyst, and that the crush strength of the catalyst is closely related to the porosity of the support. Catalyst activity and selectivity can be enhanced by tailoring the crush strength of the support.

A method of producing a bis-acyloxylated exomethylene compound represented by general formula (III), including reacting a monoacyloxylated exomethylene compound represented by general formula (I), a carboxylic acid represented by general formula (II), and oxygen in a liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst and optionally a solvent:

##STR00001##

Addition of an N-oxyl compound to points in the VAM synthesis process such that from 10 to 100 ppm of N-oxyl compound is present in the column bottoms of the acetic acid separator markedly reduce fouling in the separator, thus allowing long and efficient VAM production campaigns.

Addition of an N-oxyl compound to points in the VAM synthesis process such that from 10 to 100 ppm of N-oxyl compound is present in the column bottoms of the acetic acid separator markedly reduce fouling in the separator, thus allowing long and efficient VAM production campaigns.

Addition of an N-oxyl compound to points in the VAM synthesis process such that from 10 to 100 ppm of N-oxyl compound is present in the column bottoms of the acetic acid separator markedly reduce fouling in the separator, thus allowing long and efficient VAM production campaigns.