THE NICKEL-CATALYZED HYDROESTERIFICATION OF ACETYLENE WITH METHYL FORMATE TO METHYL ACRYLATE

The catalytic synthesis of methyl acrylate by hydroesterification of a cetylene with methyl formate was studied under various conditions. Mix tures of nickel acetate tetrahydrate, copper sulfate pentahydrate and sodium iodide dihydrate were used as catalysts, and N,N-dimethylformam ide as solvent. The experimental results concerning the effects of the reaction condition on selectivity to methyl acrylate, methanol and me thyl propionate suggested the synthesis of methyl acrylate through the carbonylation reaction of acetylene. When the reaction was carried ou t under the total initial pressure of 6.0 MPa and the CO initial parti al pressure of 3.0 MPa at the temperature of 180 degrees C with the ca talyst composition of 0.040 M Ni(OAc)(2).4H(2)O and 0.054 M NaI.2H(2)O , 86% selectivity to methyl acrylate and 64% conversion of methyl form ate were achieved. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.