THE SYNTHESIS OF ACETIC-ACID FROM METHYL FORMATE CATALYZED BY NICKEL-COMPLEXES

Abstract

A highly efficient catalyst system consisting of a nickel complex, a trialkylamine, and a tetraaklyltin was studied for the isomerization of methyl formate to acetic acid. The effects of temperature, solvent, methyl formate concentration and CO partial pressure on the rate and selectivity of the reaction were investigated. The role of promoter tetraalkyltin as a Lewis acid and synergistic effects between promoters are explained using a proposed mechanism.