PATENT

3748.  THOMAS, E. B., AND ALCOCK, E. H. (British Celanese, Ltd.).  Acetic Acid.  British Patent 669,760, Apr. 9, 1952.  Chem. Abs., vol. 46, 1952, p. 8354.

AcOH is obtained in good yields by treating MeOH with CO under pressure > 100 atm. and at a temperature < 200° in the presence of H2O and an iodide of a carbonyl-forming metal, such as Ni, Co, and Fe.  The crude MeOH obtained from H2 and CO in the presence of a MeOH forming catalyst (ZnO, Cr2O3) can be used in this process without purification.