LN(2)O(3) K2S2O8 PROMOTED SYNTHESIS OF ACETIC-ACID FROM METHANE AND CARBON-MONOXIDE UNDER MILD CONDITIONS/

The combination of lanthanoid compounds and potassium peroxodisulfate (K2S2O8) has been found to promote the direct formation of acetic acid from methane (40 atm) and carbon monoxide (20 atm) in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) at 80 degrees C. The yield of acetic acid was affected str ongly by the ligands present with the lanthanoid elements. The ytterbi um oxide exhibited higher reactivity than ytterbium sulfide, ytterbium chloride and ytterbium acetate. The sulfide ligand strongly prohibite d the formation of acetic acid from carboxylation of methane in TFA. T he order of ligands by which acetic acid is formed is oxide > acetate > chloride > sulfide. Of the oxides tested, Yb2O3 and Eu2O3 showed hig her activities.