PROCESS FOR PREPARING METHYL FORMATE Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: chemical industry. SUBSTANCE: methyl formate is prepared by carbonylation of methanol in the presence of potassium or sodium methylate as catalyst. 0.005-0.15 mole/l of sodium or potassium oxaperfluoroalkane sulphonate of general formula: C₂F₅(OCFXCF₂)_nOC₂F₄SO₃M wherein M is Na, K; X is F, CF₃, n is 0-2, and also 1-10% strong organic base with pK of equal to or more than 8.7, e.g. N-methyl-α-pyrrolidone or guanidine are added to reaction mixture. Reaction is carried out in circulating pump reactor. Spent sodium or potassium salts are recovered by means of filter. Filtrate is rectified, and methyl formate is formed as distillate. Bottom product is recycled to carbonylation reactor. EFFECT: reduced catalyst losses and greater process efficiency. 4 cl, 1 dwg, 1 tbl