By‐Products of the Carbide Industry: The Manufacture of Ethylidene Diacetate and Vinyl Acetate

The catalysts and conditions influencing the formation of vinyl acetate and ethylidene diacetate from the direct combination of acetylene with acetic acid were studied. The influence of conditions such as circulation, rapid removal of the vinyl acetate, temperature, are covered. The advantage of precipitating the catalyst salt in situ , of excess precipitant, and the use of precipitants rich in acetyl sulfuric acid are demonstrated. Conditions for continuous operation are given and it is shown that any desired ratio of the esters may be obtained. The physical and chemical data are included and a laboratory continuous still is described.