3790. ----- [VAIL, W.E..] (E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.). Methyl and Ethyl Propionates, Ethyl Butyrate, and Other Similar Esters. United States Patent 1,979,717, Nov. 6, 1934; appl. filed Dec. 31, 1931, Serial No. 584,296; 16 claims (Cl. 260-106). Chem. Abs., vol. 29, 1935, p. 181.

Olefin, an alcohol, and CO (such as C₂H₄, EtOH, and CO for the production of ethyl propionate, or C₃H₆, EtOH, and CO for the production of ethyl butyrate) are caused to react (suitably in the presence of an activated charcoal catalyst, at a temperature of about 325° and < 700 atm. pressure). MeOH containing 1% of NH₄Cl may be used, and a catalytic materials there also may be used inorganic acids of P, As, or B, or compounds, such as CaCl₂, Cd phosphate, silicotungstic acid, ZnCl₂, CaF₂, CaI₂, or NaBr. Gives several examples, with details of procedure.