A process for producing acetic acid by reacting methanol with carbon monoxide in a reaction medium in the presence of a catalyst

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for producing acetic acid where the process includes the steps of reacting methanol with carbon monoxide in a reaction medium containing water and methyl iodide in the presence of a catalyst; separating the reaction medium into a vapor phase containing acetic acid, methyl iodide, acetaldehyde and water and a liquid phase and distilling the vapor phase to produce a purified acetic acid product.