Boron trifluoride → Acrylic Acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

In this example, 90 g. of a BF3.CH3OH complex is added to a 600 ml. autoclave and maintained at 20° C. A 9:1 carbon monoxide/ethylene gas mixture is added at 68 atms. After addition of this mixture, the autoclave is heated to 50° C. and maintained at this temperature for three hours. The autoclave is cooled and depressurized. Analysis by gas-liquid chromatography indicates that the autoclave contents consist of 1 to 2% by weight methyl propionate plus 2 to 3% by weight of heavier materials. The selectivity to methyl propionate is about 25%. Under the conditions of the oxidative dehydrogenation described in Example 1, methyl propionate gives a combined selectivity of 75% to methyl acrylate and acrylic acid.

Provenance & Evidence