METHOD OF PRODUCING METHYL FORMATE Russian patent published in 2009 - IPC C07C67/08 C07C69/06 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to organic synthesis, specifically to a method of producing methyl formate, which is used as an intermediate product during synthesis of organic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid and esters thereof, as well as an additive to diesel fuel. The method of producing methyl formate from a gas which contains a mixture of carbon oxide and hydrogen involves treating the mixture of hydrogen and carbon oxide with alkali with formation of an alkali metal formate and purified hydrogen. The obtained alkali metal formate is then dissolved in water and treated with sulphuric acid with formation of formic acid, while separating sulphur impurities, and the formic acid is reduced to methanol with hydrogen using a hydrogenation catalyst. The formic acid is reduced until conversion of 50-90 mol %. The cooled mixture of methanol and formic acid is rectified in the presence of an acid catalyst, while esterifying the reaction to methyl formate.

EFFECT: increased output of high-quality end product while using material with various degree of purity.

7 cl, 2 ex