An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for producing an α-fluoroacrylic acid ester compound.

##STR00001##

This problem is solved by a method for producing a compound represented by formula (1), wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different, and each represents an alkyl group or the like; and R.sup.3 is an alkyl group or the like, the method comprising step A of reacting a compound represented by formula (2) with R.sup.3—OH (3) and carbon monoxide in the presence of palladium, a double bond-containing compound (α), a diphosphine compound (β), and a base, to obtain the compound represented by formula (1) above.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for producing an α-fluoroacrylic acid ester compound.

##STR00001##

This problem is solved by a method for producing a compound represented by formula (1), wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different, and each represents an alkyl group or the like; and R.sup.3 is an alkyl group or the like, the method comprising step A of reacting a compound represented by formula (2) with R.sup.3—OH (3) and carbon monoxide in the presence of palladium, a double bond-containing compound (α), a diphosphine compound (β), and a base, to obtain the compound represented by formula (1) above.

Disclosed are systems and methods for the production of polyacrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers from ethylene oxidation to form ethylene oxide. Reacting the ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide to form to beta propiolactone (BPL) or polypropiolactone (PPL), or a combination thereof. An outlet configured to provide a carbonylation stream comprising the BPL or PPL, or a combination thereof and using one or more reactors to convert BPL to acrylic acid or to convert at least some of the BPL to PPL, and then to convert PPL to acrylic acid. An outlet configured to provide a PPL stream to a second reactor tm to convert at least some of the PPL to AA or a third reactor to convert at least some of the PPL to AA. The outlet configured to provide an AA stream to a fourth reactor to convert the AA to polyacrylic acid.

Disclosed are systems and methods for the production of polyacrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers from ethylene oxidation to form ethylene oxide. Reacting the ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide to form to beta propiolactone (BPL) or polypropiolactone (PPL), or a combination thereof. An outlet configured to provide a carbonylation stream comprising the BPL or PPL, or a combination thereof and using one or more reactors to convert BPL to acrylic acid or to convert at least some of the BPL to PPL, and then to convert PPL to acrylic acid. An outlet configured to provide a PPL stream to a second reactor tm to convert at least some of the PPL to AA or a third reactor to convert at least some of the PPL to AA. The outlet configured to provide an AA stream to a fourth reactor to convert the AA to polyacrylic acid.

Disclosed are systems and methods for the production of polyacrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers from ethylene oxidation to form ethylene oxide. Reacting the ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide to form to beta propiolactone (BPL) or polypropiolactone (PPL), or a combination thereof. An outlet configured to provide a carbonylation stream comprising the BPL or PPL, or a combination thereof and using one or more reactors to convert BPL to acrylic acid or to convert at least some of the BPL to PPL, and then to convert PPL to acrylic acid. An outlet configured to provide a PPL stream to a second reactor tm to convert at least some of the PPL to AA or a third reactor to convert at least some of the PPL to AA. The outlet configured to provide an AA stream to a fourth reactor to convert the AA to polyacrylic acid.

Disclosed are systems and methods for the production of polyacrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers from ethylene oxidation to form ethylene oxide. Reacting the ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide to form to beta propiolactone (BPL) or polypropiolactone (PPL), or a combination thereof. An outlet configured to provide a carbonylation stream comprising the BPL or PPL, or a combination thereof and using one or more reactors to convert BPL to acrylic acid or to convert at least some of the BPL to PPL, and then to convert PPL to acrylic acid. An outlet configured to provide a PPL stream to a second reactor tm to convert at least some of the PPL to AA or a third reactor to convert at least some of the PPL to AA. The outlet configured to provide an AA stream to a fourth reactor to convert the AA to polyacrylic acid.

A method for preparing 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid (HMB) or salts thereof from tertbutanol and carbon monoxide, may include reacting tert-butanol in an aqueous mixture with carbon monoxide under electrolytic conditions. The electrolytic conditions may include applying an electric potential to the aqueous reaction mixture in a range of from 1.5 and 25 V and/or operating electrodes at a current density in a range of from 1 to 10.000 A/m.sup.2. The electric potential may be applied to the aqueous mixture using a diamond anode and/or a steel cathode. The reaction may be conducted in the presence of at least one conducting electrolyte.

A method for preparing 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid (HMB) or salts thereof from tertbutanol and carbon monoxide, may include reacting tert-butanol in an aqueous mixture with carbon monoxide under electrolytic conditions. The electrolytic conditions may include applying an electric potential to the aqueous reaction mixture in a range of from 1.5 and 25 V and/or operating electrodes at a current density in a range of from 1 to 10.000 A/m.sup.2. The electric potential may be applied to the aqueous mixture using a diamond anode and/or a steel cathode. The reaction may be conducted in the presence of at least one conducting electrolyte.

An integrated process for the preparation of carboxylic acids using iso-paraffins is provided. The process includes oxidatively carbonylating a compound having a carbon-hydrogen bond with dialkyl peroxide, carbon monoxide and water. Concurrently, the iso-paraffin is converted to iso-alcohol. The process provides access to a wide range of useful carboxylic acids and operates under relatively mild conditions.

An integrated process for the preparation of carboxylic acids using iso-paraffins is provided. The process includes oxidatively carbonylating a compound having a carbon-hydrogen bond with dialkyl peroxide, carbon monoxide and water. Concurrently, the iso-paraffin is converted to iso-alcohol. The process provides access to a wide range of useful carboxylic acids and operates under relatively mild conditions.