Patent ID: 6114274
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: B01J,C07C

Abstract:
A process for the preparation of acetic acid, comprising controlledly oxidizing ethane with a source of oxygen, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a heteropolyacid catalyst having the formula (I):[A.sub.a B.sub.b ].sub.f [C.sub.c D.sub.d E.sub.e O.sub.x ].sup.f-(I)in which A is at least one monovalent cation selected from among hydrogen, an alkali metal, or the ammonium ion; B is VO.sup.2+, VO.sup.3+, an alkaline earth metal ion, or an ion of a metal of Groups VII A, VIII, I B, IV B and V B of the Periodic Table; C is Mo and/or W; D is phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, silicon, germanium and/or boron; E is vanadium, optionally in combination with at least one metal of Groups V A, VII A and VIII of the Periodic Table or chromium; f=a+.alpha.b wherein .alpha. is the charge of the ion B, which charge is equal to 2, 3 or 4; a and b are non-negative numbers; c is a number ranging from 5 to 20-e; d is a number ranging from 1 to 5; and e is a number ranging from 1 to 9, thereby forming acetic acid.