Process for preparing molybdenum acid salts

Abstract

This invention relates to the preparation of molybdenum acid salts by directly reacting the carboxylic acid with a molybdenum compound while removing the water that is formed. These molybdenum acid salts are useful as catalysts in such processes as in the epoxidation of olefins.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a process for preparing a molybdenum carboxylate the improvement which comprises .[.intimately contacting.]. .Iadd.directly reacting .Iaddend.a molybdenum oxide, .[.molybdenum halide,.]. alkali molybdate, alkali earth molybdate, ammonium molybdate, or a mixture of a molybdenum oxide, .[.molybdenum halide,.]. alkali molybdate or alkali earth molybdate and ammonia; with a monocarboxylic acid, at temperatures in the range of 100° to 300° C. while removing water. 
     
     
       2. In a process for preparing a molybdenum carboxylate the improvement which comprises the direct reaction of a molybdenum compound selected from the group consisting of a molybdenum oxide, .[.molybdenum halide,.]. alkali molybdate, alkali earth molybdate and ammonium molybdate; with a monocarboxylic acid, at temperatures in the range 100° to 300° C. while removing water. 
     
     
       3. In a process for preparing a molybdenum carboxylate the improvement which comprises directly reacting a molybdenum compound selected from the group consisting of molybdenum oxide, .[.molybdenum halide,.]. alkali molybdate, alkali earth molybdate and ammonium molybdate; with a monocarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of mono aliphatic acid, mono alicyclic acid, and mono aromatic acid, at temperatures in the range 100° to 300° C. while removing water azeotropically. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 3 wherein the molybdenum compound is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum trioxide and ammonium molybdate; the carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of a lower aliphatic acid, an intermediate aliphatic acid and a higher aliphatic acid.[.. The.]..Iadd., the .Iaddend.temperature is above 100° C. and the water is removed azeotropically with a compound selected from the group consisting of a lower alkyl benzene, and an alkane. 
     
     
       5. In a process for preparing molybdenum octanoate the improvement which comprises reacting ammonium molybdate with octanoic acid, at temperatures in the range 100° to 300° C. while removing water. 
     
     
       6. A process of claim 5 wherein, the temperature of reaction is 100° C. to 300° C., and the water is removed azeotropically. 
     
     
       7. A process of claim 6, wherein the temperature is between 150° and 250° C., and the water is removed azeotropically with a lower alkyl benzene or an alkane. 
     
     
       8. A process of claim 7, wherein the azeotrope is a lower alkyl benzene. 
     
     
       9. A process of claim 8, wherein the lower alkyl benzene is ethyl benzene.