Ruthenium-cobalt catalysts, iodide

Acetic acid has been generated directly from synthesis gas (CO/H2) in up to 95 wt % selectivity and 97% carbon efficiency using a Ru-Co-I/Bu4PBr "melt" catalyst combination. The critical roles of each of the ruthenium, cobalt and iodide catalyst components in achieving maximum selectivity to HOAc have been identified. Ci Oxygenate formation is observed only in the presence of ruthenium carbonyls [Ru(C0)3l3] is here the dominant species. Controlled quantities of iodide ensure that initially formed MeOH is rapidly converted to the more reactive methyl iodide. Subsequent cobalt-catalyzed carbonylation to acetic acid may be preparatively attractive (>80% selectivity) relative to competing syntheses where the [00(00)4] concentration is optimized that is, where the Co/Ru ratio is >1, the syngas feedstock is rich in 00 and the initial iodide/cobalt ratios are close to unity. 

Carbon monoxide partial pressures exceed ca. 70 bar (5). Spectroscopic studies of typical Ru3(C0)i2 Co2(C0)8-l2/ Bu4PBr catalyst solutions have served to aid considerably in unraveling the differing roles of the ruthenium, cobalt and iodide-containing catalyst components in these syntheses. A typical solution spectrum in the metal-carbonyl region (5) shows the presence of significant concentration s of both [Ru(CO)3I3] (2108 and 2036... 

In a more detailed examination of the ruthenium-cobalt-iodide "melt" catalyst system, we have followed the generation of acetic acid and its acetate esters as a function of catalyst composition and certain operating parameters, and examined the spectral properties of these reaction products, particularly with regard to the presence of identifiable metal carbonyl species. 

It is clear that ruthenium-cobalt-iodide catalyst dispersed in low-melting tetrabutylphosphonium bromide provides a unique means of selectively converting synthesis gas in one step to acetic acid. Modest changes in catalyst formulation can, however, have profound effects upon liquid product composition. 

Data in Table V illustrate the production of acetic acid from 1/1 syngas. A variety of ruthenium-containing precursors - coupled with cobalt halide, carbonate and carbonyl compounds - at different initial Co/Ru atomic ratios, have been found to yield the desired carboxylic acid when dispersed in tetrabutylphosphonium bromide. In a more detailed examination of the ruthenium-cobalt-iodide melt catalyst system, we have followed the generation of acetic acid and its acetate esters as a function of catalyst composition and certain operating parameters, and examined the spectral properties of these reaction products, particularly with regard to the presence of identifiable metal carbonyl species. 

Alcohol Homologation Solvent and promoter effects on the cobalt carbonyl catalysed methanol homologation have been studied under synthesis gas pressure.The main product in a methanol/hydrocarbon two-phase system is 1,1-dimethoxyethane (ca. 70 selectivity).Using similar iodide promoted cobalt catalysts, R2C 0Me)2 and dimethylcarbonate are converted to acetaldehyde with up to 87 selectivity.Ruthenium in the presence of Co, 12 and dppe improves the ethanol selectivity in the homologation of dimethylether. Best results are achieved in inert solvents with high dielectric constants, e.g. sulfolane (e = 44), and with BF3 as activator. 

Monometallic ruthenium, bimetallic cobalt-ruthenium and rhodium-ruthenium catalysts coupled with iodide promoters have been recognized as the most active and selective systems for the hydrogenation steps of homologation processes (carbonylation + hydrogenation) of oxygenated substrates alcohols, ethers, esters and carboxylic acids (1,2). 

Thus mixtures containing methyl iodide, which generates the protonic acids, HI and HRu(CO)3l3, and ionic iodides (Nal, KI), which provide the Lewis acid (K , Na ), give the highest yields of ethanol and the highest reaction rates (Table II) analogously to that found with cobalt-ruthenium catalysts (Ru/Co 2 I /Co 5) (13). ... 

The behaviour of the ruthenium catalysts is quite different from that previously reported for cobalt carbonyl catalysts, which give a mixture of aldehydes and their acetals by formylation of the alkyl group of the orthoformate (19). The activity of rhodium catalysts, with and without iodide promoters,is limited to the first step of the hydrogenation to diethoxymethane and to a simple carbonylation or formylation of the ethyl groups to propionates and propionaldehyde derivatives (20). 

Carbohalogenation of various terminal or internal alkynes, via addition of perfluoroalkyl iodides or bomides, is catalyzed by carbonyl complexes of iron, cobalt or ruthenium. In this case, dichlorotris(triphenylphosphane)ruthenium(II) is not active as a catalyst. rram-Addition products are usually obtained in good yield under mild reaction conditions36. 

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