Process for production of acetyl anhydrides and optionally acetic acid from methane and carbon dioxide

US6960682B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Regents of the University of California · US
• BP Chemicals Limited · US

Inventors

• Alexis T. Bell · Oakland, US
• Sudip Mukhopadhyay · Williamsville, US
• Mark Zerella · Berkeley, US
• John Glenn Sunley · Corby, GB
• Sander Gaemers · Skirlaugh, GB
• Michael James Muskett · Cudworth, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 22, 2004
• Grant date: Nov 1, 2005
• Expiry date: Jul 22, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C381/00
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Acetyl anhydrides such as acetyl sulfate are produced by a process for comprising contacting methane and carbon dioxide in an anhydrous environment in the presence of effective amounts of a transition metal catalyst and a reaction promoter, and an acid anhydride compound, and optionally an acid. The acetyl anhydride can be contacted with water to produce acetic acid or with an alcohol to produce a product comprising an acetate ester and that may also comprise acetic acid. Optionally, water in stoichiometric amounts or less, with respect to the acetic anhydride, may be fed to a continuous process of this type to produce some acetic acid in situ.