The invention relates to a process for preparing carboxylic acids or salts thereof by hydrolysis or saponification of an ester, which is obtained by alkoxycarbonylation of a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted into another ester by transesterification and then hydrolyzed or saponified.

The invention relates to a process for preparing carboxylic acids or salts thereof by hydrolysis or saponification of an ester, which is obtained by alkoxycarbonylation of a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted into another ester by transesterification and then hydrolyzed or saponified.

Provided is a one-pot process for preparing propionic acid, which comprises (i) treating ethylene with a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkanol, water, and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising the reaction product of (a) a Group 8 to 10 transition metal compound such as a palladium or ruthenium compound; and (b) an activating anion, at elevated temperature and pressure. The process also provides a facile, continuous process for the preparation of propionic acid via the alkoxycarbonylation of ethylene at elevated temperature and pressure followed by hydrolysis, in one reaction vessel.

Provided is a one-pot process for preparing propionic acid, which comprises (i) treating ethylene with a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkanol, water, and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising the reaction product of (a) a Group 8 to 10 transition metal compound such as a palladium or ruthenium compound; and (b) an activating anion, at elevated temperature and pressure. The process also provides a facile, continuous process for the preparation of propionic acid via the alkoxycarbonylation of ethylene at elevated temperature and pressure followed by hydrolysis, in one reaction vessel.

The invention provides a process for preparing an alcohol by hydrogenating an ester which is obtained by alkoxycarbonylating a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted to another ester by transesterification and then hydrogenated.

The invention provides a process for preparing an alcohol by hydrogenating an ester which is obtained by alkoxycarbonylating a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted to another ester by transesterification and then hydrogenated.

The invention relates to a process for preparing an ester by alkoxycarbonylation of a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation and recycled into the reaction zone. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted into another ester by transesterification.

The invention relates to a process for preparing an ester by alkoxycarbonylation of a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation and recycled into the reaction zone. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted into another ester by transesterification.

The invention relates to a process for preparing an ester by alkoxycarbonylation of a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation and recycled into the reaction zone. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted into another ester by transesterification.

The invention relates to a process for preparing carboxylic acids or salts thereof by hydrolysis or saponification of an ester, which is obtained by alkoxycarbonylation of a C2 to C20 hydrocarbon having at least one multiple bond, preferably having at least one olefinic double bond, in which the homogeneous catalyst system used is separated from the product mixture by means of membrane separation. In a development of the present invention, the ester thus formed is converted into another ester by transesterification and then hydrolyzed or saponified.