| Abstract: | A new method of synthesis of acetic acid in water has been developed from the carboxylation of methane with carbon monoxide using lanthanide catalysts. Ytterbium(III) acetate has been found to be the most active catalyst among the compounds of the lanthanide series in the carboxylation reaction of methane with carbon monoxide. Sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide was used as the oxidant in this reaction. Sodium hypochlorite exhibited more favorable activity than hydrogen peroxide in the reaction. The catalytic activity was improved by the addition of transition-metal salts such as manganese(II) acetate. The best result has been found at a ratio of manganese(II) acetate to ytterbium(III) acetate of 1:10. The optimum reaction conditions (reaction temperature, 40 °C; time, 20 h; methane, 20 atm; carbon monoxide, 5 atm) have been obtained. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
