Patent ID: 6323364
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
In a process for producing acetic acid by reacting methanol with carbon monoxide in a liquid reaction medium comprising a catalytically effective amount of rhodium catalyst; from about 0.1 wt % to less than 14 wt % of water; acetic acid; a salt soluble in the reaction medium at the reaction temperature in an amount operative to maintain a concentration of ionic iodide in the range of from about 2 to about 20 wt % effective as a catalyst stabilizer and co-promoter, methyl iodide; from about 0.5 wt % to about 30 wt % of methyl acetate, methyl Iodide, and subsequently recovering acetic acid from the resulting reaction product, the improvement which comprises:reducing contamination of the product acetic acid of carbonyl impurities by maintaining in the reaction medium during the course of the reaction less than about 4.5 wt % of methyl iodide.