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Abstract

A process for producing methyl methacrylate is disclosed, the method comprising: a) producing ethylene from ethanol; b) producing propionaldehyde from the ethylene produced in step a); c) producing methacrolein from propionaldehyde produced in step b) and formaldehyde; and d) producing methyl methacrylate in an oxidative esterification reaction from the methacrolein produced in step c) with methanol. Step c) is performed at a pressure above 1 bar. Step d) is performed in a reactor system in a liquid phase reaction in the presence of a heterogeneous noble metal-containing catalyst, wherein the reactor system comprises an oxygen-containing gas. An average concentration of methacrolein in step d) is less than 40 wt % based on the total weight of methanol and methacrolein. The reactor system of step d) has an average ratio of methanol to methacrolein less than 20:1 based on an average amount of methanol and methacrolein entering and exiting the system.

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First Claim