Catalyst for ester production and process for producing ester

Abstract

A catalyst for ester production which comprises zirconium oxide, copper, and at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of zinc oxide, chromium oxide, aluminum oxide and silicon oxide, and is obtainable by reducing with hydrogen a catalyst precursor prepared by the reaction of a salt containing at least one of metals constituting the oxides, a zirconium salt and a copper salt with an alkali hydroxide; and a process for producing an ester which comprises bringing either an alcohol or an alcohol and an aldehyde into contact with this catalyst in a gas phase.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . A Cu—ZnO—ZrO 2  catalyst for ester production, which consists of: 
 per mole of copper, not more than 5 moles of zinc oxide, and 0.05-5 moles of zirconium oxide, the catalyst being obtainable by reducing with hydrogen, a calcined form of a precipitate prepared by the reaction of a copper salt, a zinc salt, and a zirconium salt with an alkali hydroxide.    
   
   
       20 . A Cu—Al 2 O 3 —ZrO 2  catalyst for ester production, which consists of: 
 per mole of copper, not more than 5 moles of aluminum oxide, and 0.05-5 moles of zirconium oxide, the catalyst being obtainable by reducing with hydrogen, a calcined form of a precipitate prepared by the reaction of a copper salt, an aluminum salt, and a zirconium salt with an alkali hydroxide.    
   
   
       21 . A process for preparing a Cu—ZnO—ZrO 2  catalyst for ester production, which comprises: 
 reducing with hydrogen a calcined form of a precipitate prepared from a mixed aqueous solution of copper nitrate, zinc nitrate, and zirconyl nitrate, and an alkali hydroxide, the catalyst comprising, per mole of copper, not more than 5 moles of zinc oxide and 0.05-5 moles of zirconium oxide.    
   
   
       22 . The process as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the mixed aqueous solution contains not more than 5 moles of zinc nitrate and 0.05-5 moles of zirconyl nitrate, per mole of copper nitrate.  
   
   
       23 . A process for preparing a Cu—Al 2 O 3 —ZrO 2  catalyst for ester production, which comprises: 
 reducing with hydrogen a calcined form of a precipitate prepared from a mixed aqueous solution of copper nitrate, zinc nitrate, and zirconyl nitrate, and an alkali hydroxide, the catalyst comprising, per mole of copper, not more than 5 moles of aluminum oxide and 0.05-5 moles of zirconium oxide.    
   
   
       24 . The process as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the mixed aqueous solution contains not more than 10 moles of aluminum nitrate and 0.05-5 moles of zirconyl nitrate, per mole of copper nitrate.  
   
   
       25 . A process for producing an ester, comprising bringing an alcohol into contact with a catalyst as claimed in  claim 23  in a vapor phase, and dehydrogenating the alcohol to form an ester.  
   
   
       26 . A process for producing an ester, comprising bringing an alcohol into contact with a catalyst as claimed in  claim 23  in a vapor phase, and dehydrogenating the alcohol to form an ester.  
   
   
       27 . The process for producing an ester as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the alcohol is an alcohol having 1-4 carbon atoms.  
   
   
       28 . The process for producing an ester as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the alcohol is an alcohol having 1-4 carbon atoms.  
   
   
       29 . The process for producing an ester as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein ethyl acetate is produced from ethyl alcohol.  
   
   
       30 . The process for producing an ester as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein ethyl acetate is produced from ethyl alcohol.  
   
   
       31 . A process for producing an ester, comprising bringing an alcohol into contact with a catalyst as claimed in  claim 19  in a vapor phase, and dehydrogenating the alcohol to form an ester.  
   
   
       32 . The process for producing an ester as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein ethyl acetate is produced from ethyl alcohol.  
   
   
       33 . A process for producing an ester, comprising bringing an alcohol and an aldehyde into contact with a catalyst as claimed in  claim 20  in a vapor phase to form an ester.  
   
   
       34 . The process for producing an ester as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein ethyl acetate is produced from ethyl alcohol and acetaldehyde.