Nickel-catalyzed carbonylation of methyl acetate to acetic anhydride

Liquid phase carbonylation of methyl acetate to acetic anhydride using nickel catalyst with methyl iodide promoter is reported. Effect of different catalyst precursors, total reaction pressure, hydrogen partial pressure, temperature, catalyst, lithium acetate and methyl iodide concentration, a variety of ligands on the activity and selectivity of nickel catalyst has been investigated. Additionally, FT-IR spectra of the reaction solution were studied and possible side reactions in the carbonylation were examined. Based on these observations, a proposed mechanism for the homogeneous nickel-catalyzed carbonylation of methyl acetate was discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.