Propionic Acid Method
Acide propionique propionic acid Ethylene Carbonylation Synthesis Method
This process was initially developed by B. It uses ethylene, carbon monoxide, and water as raw materials, with nickel tetracarbonyl as the catalyst, to synthesize propionic acid in one step at 250–320°C and 10–30 MPa. Per ton of Acide propionique propionic acid, 0.47 tons of ethylene (with a volume fraction >95%) and 0.75 tons of carbon monoxide (volume fraction >90%) are consumed. This method offers low raw material costs, high conversion rates, high yields, and simple operation, but the high pressure demands high reactor specifications and causes severe corrosion. After the successful development of the low-pressure carbonylation of propylene to butyraldehyde, a low-pressure ethylene carbonylation process for propionic acid was subsequently developed, advancing the technology of direct ethylene carbonylation for propionic acid production. This method has become one of the best for producing Acide propionique propionic acid.