ABSTRACT
Acetylene will react with water and carbon monoxide in the presence of nickel bromide-cuprous bromide as catalyst to give acrylic acid, or with an alcohol and carbon monoxide to give acrylic esters. The greater part of acrylic acid production is converted to esters; because of the similarity of the esterification processes, dual product plants are frequently constructed. Organic solvents used either have a lower boiling point than acrylic acid or have boiling points higher than the acid, in which case tert-butyl phosphate, isophorone or aromatic hydrocarbons are commonly used. Acrylic acid is used as an intermediate for the production of acrylates. Adhesives and binders are a major consumer of acrylic ester copolymer latices, especially in Europe and Japan. Acrylic acid must not be allowed to pollute sewers or streams. As acrylic acid is flammable and its vapour is heavier than air, flashback is a hazard.
