TRANSITION-METAL CATALYZED ACETIC-ACID SYNTHESIS FROM METHANE AND CO

Methane reacts with CO to give acetic acid in good yield by the CuSO4 and/or Pd(OCOEt)2 catalysts via C-H bond activation. This reaction has an advantage over the method which uses methanol and rhodium catalysts, in that cheap methane and copper catalysts can be used. Propane also reacts with CO to give butyric acids.