An object is to provide a method for producing a ketene derivative that decreases the consumption quantity of phosphorus compounds, and the discharge quantity of the phosphorus compounds into the environment.

A method for producing a ketene derivative includes a step (i) of conducting thermal decomposition reaction of acetic acid in a presence of a phosphorus-containing catalyst in a reactor to produce a thermal decomposition gas containing ketene, a step (ii) of cooling the thermal decomposition gas to be separated into a gaseous component containing ketene, and a condensed liquid containing a phosphorus compound (a), and a step (iii) of causing the ketene to react with a different organic compound to produce a ketene derivative. The step (i) includes conducting the thermal decomposition reaction while supplying, into the reactor, the condensed liquid containing the phosphorus compound (a) or a concentrated liquid of the condensed liquid.

Continuous process for co-production of acetic acid and acetic anhydride by contacting carbon monoxide with a liquid reaction composition containing methyl acetate, dimethyl ether or a mixture thereof, a Group VIII metal catalyst, methyl iodide, acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and water in a concentration of 0.1 wt % or less, withdrawing liquid reaction composition from the reaction zone, introducing at least a portion thereof into a flash separation zone, and removing from the flash separation zone a vapor fraction containing acetic anhydride, acetic acid and methyl iodide and a liquid fraction containing acetic anhydride, and Group VIII metal catalyst. The liquid reaction composition and the withdrawn liquid reaction composition introduced into the flash separation zone contains a Group IA and/or Group IIA metal salt and the molar ratio of acetic acid to acetic anhydride in the vapor fraction removed from the flash separation zone is greater than or equal to 1.

Continuous process for co-production of acetic acid and acetic anhydride by contacting carbon monoxide with a liquid reaction composition containing methyl acetate, dimethyl ether or a mixture thereof, a Group VIII metal catalyst, methyl iodide, acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and water in a concentration of 0.1 wt % or less, withdrawing liquid reaction composition from the reaction zone, introducing at least a portion thereof into a flash separation zone, and removing from the flash separation zone a vapor fraction containing acetic anhydride, acetic acid and methyl iodide and a liquid fraction containing acetic anhydride, and Group VIII metal catalyst. The liquid reaction composition and the withdrawn liquid reaction composition introduced into the flash separation zone contains a Group IA and/or Group IIA metal salt and the molar ratio of acetic acid to acetic anhydride in the vapor fraction removed from the flash separation zone is greater than or equal to 1.

The present invention provides a method for preparing acrylic acid and methyl acrylate. The method comprises passing the feed gas containing dimethoxymethane and carbon monoxide through a solid acid catalyst to generate acrylic acid and methyl acrylate with a high conversion rate and selectivity at a reaction temperature in a range from 180 to 400 and a reaction pressure in a range from 0.1 MPa to 15.0 MPa, the mass space velocity of dimethoxymethane in the feed gas is in a range from 0.05 h.sup.−1 to 10.0 h.sup.−1, and the volume percentage of dimethoxymethane in the feed gas is in a range from 0.1% to 95%.

The present invention provides a method for preparing acrylic acid and methyl acrylate. The method comprises passing the feed gas containing dimethoxymethane and carbon monoxide through a solid acid catalyst to generate acrylic acid and methyl acrylate with a high conversion rate and selectivity at a reaction temperature in a range from 180 to 400 and a reaction pressure in a range from 0.1 MPa to 15.0 MPa, the mass space velocity of dimethoxymethane in the feed gas is in a range from 0.05 h.sup.−1 to 10.0 h.sup.−1, and the volume percentage of dimethoxymethane in the feed gas is in a range from 0.1% to 95%.

Processes for purifying acetic acid by distilling a process stream in a column in which acetic anhydride is formed in the lower portion of the column. The product stream withdrawn from the column comprises acetic acid, water at a concentration of no more than 0.2 wt. %, and acetic anhydride at a concentration of no more than 600 wppm. The process further comprises hydrating the acetic anhydride in the product stream to form a purified acetic acid product comprising acetic anhydride at a concentration of no more than 50 wppm.

Processes for purifying acetic acid by distilling a process stream in a column in which acetic anhydride is formed in the lower portion of the column. The product stream withdrawn from the column comprises acetic acid, water at a concentration of no more than 0.2 wt. %, and acetic anhydride at a concentration of no more than 600 wppm. The process further comprises hydrating the acetic anhydride in the product stream to form a purified acetic acid product comprising acetic anhydride at a concentration of no more than 50 wppm.

Salts of hexylamine, for example, hexylamine succinate and tri-hexylamine citrate and their method of production are described. The disclosure also relates to compositions comprising hexyalmine, for example, for reducing appetite in a human subject, treating obesity in a human subject, preventing obesity in a human subject, preventing weight gain in a human subject, increasing fat loss in a human subject, treating an overweight human subject, increasing athletic performance in a human subject, increasing endurance in a human subject, increasing muscle strength in a human subject, improving cognitive function in a human subject, treating ADHD in a human subject, increasing sweating in a human subject, reducing reaction time of a human subject, increasing psychomotor vigilance of a human subject, enhancing memory in a human subject, increasing central nervous system activity in a human subject, and enhancing alertness, attention, concentration, and/or memory in a human subject.

Disclosed is the integration of the production of acetic anhydride from ketene, and the acetylation of wood using acetylation fluid comprising acetic acid and acetic anhydride. The invention involves recirculating acetylation fluid recovered from wood acetylation to a unit for the production of acetic anhydride from acetic acid and ketene. The acetic anhydride product stream can, in turn, be directly used as a wood acetylation fluid.

Disclosed is the integration of the production of acetic anhydride from ketene, and the acetylation of wood using acetylation fluid comprising acetic acid and acetic anhydride. The invention involves recirculating acetylation fluid recovered from wood acetylation to a unit for the production of acetic anhydride from acetic acid and ketene. The acetic anhydride product stream can, in turn, be directly used as a wood acetylation fluid.