Gold-silica, catalysts, structure

The structure of the metal particles dispersed on a silica powder support ( Aerosil 380, 70 A average silica particle diameter) has been studied by Avery and Sanders (47) using electron microscopy in both bright and dark field, to determine the extent to which the metal particles were multiply twinned or of ideal structure. Platinum, palladium, and gold were examined. These catalysts were prepared by impregnation using an aqueous solution of metal halide derivatives, were dried at 100°-150°C, and were hydrogen... 

Another way to produce acetic acid is based on a carbonylation of methanol in the so called Monsanto process, which is the dominant technology for the production of acetic acid today [15]. Acetic acid then is converted to VAM by addition of ethylene to acetic acid in the gas phase using heterogeneous catalysts usually based on palladium, cadmium, gold and its alloys (vinylation reaction 3 in Fig. 2) [16] supported on silica structures. 

Leap A process for making vinyl acetate monomer. It uses a fluidized bed of a new catalyst in powder form the reactants are acetic acid, ethylene, and oxygen. Developed by BP Amoco and first operated in Hull, England, in 2001. The catalyst is a gold-paUadium alloy supported on silica having a core-shell structure, made by Johnson Matthey. The catalyst is continnonsly removed and replenished. This was the first large-scale application of gold in catalysis, and the process received the AspenTech Award for Bnsiness Innovation in 2002. 

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