The Iridium-Based Cativa Process

Figu re 8.5 General catalytic cycle for the iridium-catalyzed methanol carbonylation, as proposed by Haynes et al. (adapted from Ref [32]). 

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The carbonylation of methanol was developed by Monsanto in the late 1960s. It is a large-scale operation employing a rhodium/iodide catalyst converting methanol and carbon monoxide into acetic acid. An older method involves the same carbonylation reaction carried out with a cobalt catalyst (see Section 9.3.2.4). For many years the Monsanto process has been the most attractive route for the preparation of acetic acid, but in recent years the iridium-based CATIVA process, developed by BP, has come on stream (see Section 9.3.2) ... 

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