CARBONYLATION OF ETHANOL USING NI-ISOQUINOLINE COMPLEX CATALYST - ACTIVITY AND SELECTIVITY STUDIES

The carbonylation of ethanol using NiCl2 . 6H(2)O/isoquinoline catalys t system and aqueous HI as a promoter has been investigated. Effect of catalyst, ethanol and HI concentration, temperature, partial pressure s of CO and H-2, N- or P-containing ligands and co-catalysts on the ac tivity and selectivity has been studied. The Ni catalysts were found t o be active only in;he presence of N- or P-containing ligands. LII and NaI were found to further enhance the catalytic activity without affe cting the selectivity. Activity of Ni-isoquinoline-HI catalyst was fou nd to be constant even after 4 recycles indicating high stability.