The reaction of methyl chloride with carbon monoxide

Abstract

The reaction of methyl chloride with carbon monoxide in the presence of pumice-anhydrous sodium borate catalyst yields mainly hydrogen chloride, methane, acetyl chloride and phosgene, and deposits carbon. Moreover, hydrogen, methylene chloride, ethyl chloride and ethylene dichloride are obtained in a trace. From the stand point of chemical kinetics the reaction is studied. From the initial rates of the products, the values of 18.1, 18.5, 28.2 and 27.0kcal/mole are obtained as the apparent activation energies for the formation of acetyl chloride, phosgene, hydrogen chloride and methane respectively. Furthermore, the rates of formation of acetyl chloride and phosgene are discussed. From the apparent rate constants, the apparent activation energies are obtained. The values are 19.0kcal/mole for acetyl chloride and 17.6kcal/mole for phosgene. The reaction mechanism is discussed.