Disclosed embodiments relate to improved methods for the synthesis of activated fumarate intermediates and their use in chemical synthesis. Disclosed embodiments describe the synthesis of activated fumarate esters including those derived from activating groups including: 4-nitrophenyl, diphenylphophoryl azide, pivaloyl chloride, chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, p-nitrophenol, MEF, trifluoroacetyl and chlorine, for example, ethyl fumaroyl chloride and the subsequent use of the activated ester in situ. Further embodiments describe the improved synthesis of substituted aminoalkyl-diketopiperazines from unisolated and unpurified intermediates allowing for improved yields and reactor throughput.

Disclosed embodiments relate to improved methods for the synthesis of activated fumarate intermediates and their use in chemical synthesis. Disclosed embodiments describe the synthesis of activated fumarate esters including those derived from activating groups including: 4-nitrophenyl, diphenylphophoryl azide, pivaloyl chloride, chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, p-nitrophenol, MEF, trifluoroacetyl and chlorine, for example, ethyl fumaroyl chloride and the subsequent use of the activated ester in situ. Further embodiments describe the improved synthesis of substituted aminoalkyl-diketopiperazines from unisolated and unpurified intermediates allowing for improved yields and reactor throughput.

A process for producing alkyl methacrylates, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA), includes production of methacrolein (MAL) in a first reaction stage; direct oxidative esterification (DOE) of the methacrolein with an alcohol, preferably methanol, to afford an alkyl methacrylate in a second reaction stage; and workup of the alkyl methacrylate crude product from the second reaction stage. An optimized workup of the reactor output from the oxidative esterification of methacrolein involves minimizing the amount of employed water, the amount of employed acid, and/or the amount of aqueous waste streams, through an optimized recycling of the generated process water streams.

A process for producing alkyl methacrylates, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA), includes production of methacrolein (MAL) in a first reaction stage; direct oxidative esterification (DOE) of the methacrolein with an alcohol, preferably methanol, to afford an alkyl methacrylate in a second reaction stage; and workup of the alkyl methacrylate crude product from the second reaction stage. An optimized workup of the reactor output from the oxidative esterification of methacrolein involves minimizing the amount of employed water, the amount of employed acid, and/or the amount of aqueous waste streams, through an optimized recycling of the generated process water streams.

A process for producing alkyl methacrylates, in particular methyl methacrylate (MMA), includes production of methacrolein (MAL) in a first reaction stage; direct oxidative esterification (DOE) of the methacrolein with an alcohol, preferably methanol, to afford an alkyl methacrylate in a second reaction stage; and workup of the alkyl methacrylate crude product from the second reaction stage. An optimized workup of the reactor output from the oxidative esterification of methacrolein involves minimizing the amount of employed water, the amount of employed acid, and/or the amount of aqueous waste streams, through an optimized recycling of the generated process water streams.

A process produces methyl methacrylate by direct oxidative esterification of methacrolein. Methyl methacrylate is used in large amounts for producing polymers and copolymers with other polymerizable compounds. An optimized workup of the reactor discharge from the oxidative esterification of methacrolein allows for co-discharged fine catalyst particles to be very efficiently separated and optionally removed or recycled. In addition, this process can reduce the formation of byproducts in extended continuous operation compared to known variant. A reactor system contains stirrer configurations which allow virtually abrasion-free operation and thus a catalyst on-stream time of several years.

A process produces methyl methacrylate by direct oxidative esterification of methacrolein. Methyl methacrylate is used in large amounts for producing polymers and copolymers with other polymerizable compounds. An optimized workup of the reactor discharge from the oxidative esterification of methacrolein allows for co-discharged fine catalyst particles to be very efficiently separated and optionally removed or recycled. In addition, this process can reduce the formation of byproducts in extended continuous operation compared to known variant. A reactor system contains stirrer configurations which allow virtually abrasion-free operation and thus a catalyst on-stream time of several years.

A catalyst comprising noble metal particles and titanium-containing particles. The noble metal particles and titanium-containing particles are disposed on an outer surface of a support. At least 20% by weight of the total weight of noble metal particles are adjacent to at least one titanium-containing particle. The noble metal particles have an average diameter of less than 15 nm, and the catalyst has an average diameter of at least 200 microns. A method for preparing methyl methacrylate from methacrolein and methanol using the catalyst is also disclosed.

A catalyst comprising noble metal particles and titanium-containing particles. The noble metal particles and titanium-containing particles are disposed on an outer surface of a support. At least 20% by weight of the total weight of noble metal particles are adjacent to at least one titanium-containing particle. The noble metal particles have an average diameter of less than 15 nm, and the catalyst has an average diameter of at least 200 microns. A method for preparing methyl methacrylate from methacrolein and methanol using the catalyst is also disclosed.

A catalyst comprising noble metal particles and titanium-containing particles. The noble metal particles and titanium-containing particles are disposed on an outer surface of a support. At least 20% by weight of the total weight of noble metal particles are adjacent to at least one titanium-containing particle. The noble metal particles have an average diameter of less than 15 nm, and the catalyst has an average diameter of at least 200 microns. A method for preparing methyl methacrylate from methacrolein and methanol using the catalyst is also disclosed.