Kinetics of Methanol Carbonylation
The overall stoichiometry of the acetic
acid synthesis is represented simply by
CH,OH 1 CO-rCH,COOH
The results of kinetics studies of the
rhodium-catalysed homogeneous reaction
have been reported (2) and have several
interesting and unusual features. The reaction
was found to be zero order with respect to
both reactants-methanol and carbon monoxide.
An obvious consequence of the zero
order dependence on carbon monoxide
pressure is the ability to obtain high reaction
rates at low reaction pressures. With respect
to catalyst components, it was found that
reaction rate was directly proportional to
both the rhodium and iodide concentrations.
Another key observation made relates to the
fate of the methyl iodide (formed via reaction
of CH,OH+HI) concentration during the
reaction. This was determined by analysis of
timed liquid samples removed during the
course of the reaction. It was observed that