Patent ID: 7411107

Claim:
A process for the oxidation of a C 2 to C 4 alkane to produce the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid which process comprises the steps: (a) contacting in an oxidation reaction zone, an alkane, molecular oxygen-containing gas, optionally the corresponding alkene and optionally water, in the presence of at least one catalyst active for the oxidation of the alkane to the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, to produce a first product stream comprising alkene, carboxylic acid, alkane, oxygen and water; (b) separating in a first separation means at least a portion of the first product stream into a gaseous stream comprising alkene, alkane and oxygen and a liquid stream comprising carboxylic acid; (c) contacting said gaseous stream with a solution of a metallic salt capable of selectively chemically absorbing the alkene to produce a chemically absorbed alkene-rich liquid stream; and (d) recovering an alkene-rich stream from the metallic salt solution.