FIELD: chemistry.
SUBSTANCE: method comprises reacting a methanol feedstock and a methyl acetate feedstock with a catalyst composition in a reaction zone to produce acetic acid and dimethyl ether, said catalyst composition comprising a zeolite which comprises a 2-dimensional channel system comprising at least one channel formed by a 10-membered rings and where at least 5 mole % of the zeolite-capable cation exchange sites are occupied by cations of one or more alkali metals.
EFFECT: method allows to decrease the rate of deactivation of zeolite catalysts.
18 cl, 8 tbl, 13 ex
