ACTIVITY AND STABILITY OF 2 POLYMER-SUPPORTED RHODIUM-BASED CATALYSTSFOR THE VAPOR-PHASE CARBONYLATION OF METHANOL

Rhodium catalysts supported on a diphenylphosphinated copolymer of sty rene and divinylbenzene (SDT) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) have been tested as catalysts for the heterogeneous carbonylation of methanol in continuous long term vapour phase experiments under mild working cond itions (P = 80 bar, T = 180-190 degrees C). While for the SDT-supporte d catalyst leaching of the rhodium active species occurs, the PVP-supp orted catalyst, besides excellent activity and selectivity, also shows a very high stability since no detectable rhodium leaching was observ ed during the experiment (50 h). (C) 1998 Academic Press.