Promoting effect of transition metal salts on rhodium catalyzed methanol carbonylation

Some transition metal chlorides were used as promoters for homogeneous rhodium catalyzed methanol carbonylation. The experiments were carried out at low water conditions. All of the catalysts with the promoters demonstrate better catalytic activity than the pristine Monsanto catalyst. Ni, Fe and Co chlorides are most efficient promoters, among which Ni manifest the best performance in accelerating the catalytic rate. All the experiments promoted by such promoters demonstrate good stability and catalytic selectivity.