Provided is a process for the preparation of certain 1,4-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives. The new synthetic procedure involves treating 1,4-dimethylene cyclohexane with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a transition metal catalyst comprising a palladium compound to afford certain oxo-substituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octane species. The process of the invention thus affords a novel and simplified means for the commercial production of a wide variety of bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives.

Provided is a process for the preparation of certain 1,4-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives. The new synthetic procedure involves treating 1,4-dimethylene cyclohexane with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a transition metal catalyst comprising a palladium compound to afford certain oxo-substituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octane species. The process of the invention thus affords a novel and simplified means for the commercial production of a wide variety of bicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives.

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 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 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.

The present disclosure relates to a method for producing vinyl acetate, comprising a vinyl acetate synthesis process, a vinyl acetate refining process and a separation process of vinyl acetate and ethyl acetate, including an acetic acid evaporator, an oxygen mixer, a vinyl acetate synthesis reactor, a first gas separating tower, a second gas separating tower, a recovered gas compressor, a water washing tower, an absorption tower and a desorption tower, a recycling gas compressor; the vinyl acetate refining process comprising an acetic acid tower, a crude VAC tower, and a fine VAC tower, a rectifying tower, an ethyl acetate tower, a water phase receiving tank, an extracting and rectifying tower and an ethyl acetate phase separator.

The present disclosure relates to a method for producing vinyl acetate, comprising a vinyl acetate synthesis process, a vinyl acetate refining process and a separation process of vinyl acetate and ethyl acetate, including an acetic acid evaporator, an oxygen mixer, a vinyl acetate synthesis reactor, a first gas separating tower, a second gas separating tower, a recovered gas compressor, a water washing tower, an absorption tower and a desorption tower, a recycling gas compressor; the vinyl acetate refining process comprising an acetic acid tower, a crude VAC tower, and a fine VAC tower, a rectifying tower, an ethyl acetate tower, a water phase receiving tank, an extracting and rectifying tower and an ethyl acetate phase separator.

A method that includes (a) providing a stream containing ethane and oxygen to an ODH reactor; (b) converting a portion of the ethane to ethylene and acetic acid in the ODH reactor to provide a stream containing ethane, ethylene, acetic acid, oxygen and carbon monoxide; (c) separating a portion of the acetic acid from the stream to provide an acetic acid stream and a stream containing ethane, ethylene, oxygen and carbon monoxide; (d) providing the stream to a CO Oxidation Reactor containing a catalyst that includes a group 11 metal to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and reacting acetylene to produce a stream containing ethane, ethylene and carbon dioxide; and (e) providing a portion of the stream and a portion of the acetic acid stream to a third reactor containing a catalyst that includes a metal selected from group 10 and group 11 metals to produce vinyl acetate.

A method that includes (a) providing a stream containing ethane and oxygen to an ODH reactor; (b) converting a portion of the ethane to ethylene and acetic acid in the ODH reactor to provide a stream containing ethane, ethylene, acetic acid, oxygen and carbon monoxide; (c) separating a portion of the acetic acid from the stream to provide an acetic acid stream and a stream containing ethane, ethylene, oxygen and carbon monoxide; (d) providing the stream to a CO Oxidation Reactor containing a catalyst that includes a group 11 metal to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and reacting acetylene to produce a stream containing ethane, ethylene and carbon dioxide; and (e) providing a portion of the stream and a portion of the acetic acid stream to a third reactor containing a catalyst that includes a metal selected from group 10 and group 11 metals to produce vinyl acetate.

This invention concerns a process for the production of vinyl esters of carboxylic acids with 3 to 20 carbon atoms, via vinylation in the presence of palladium (Pd) catalyst in combination with copper (Cu) as co-catalyst stabilized by organic salts in the presence of ethylene and air or oxygen.