[LaylaLee]

There are basically few routes in production of vinyl acetate monomer. After much consideration, I have chosen ethylene based where it is produced by oxidation of ethylene. I did read up and found that ethane can also be the raw material in manufacturing vinyl acetate. But the process comprises of two stages:

a) ethane to ethylene and acetic acid
b) then the gaseous product is in contact with catalyst to trigger it to form vinyl acetate

Lol, I made it seem so simpple but the reaction is actually more complicated with byproducts and requirement to adjust the stoichiometric of the second reaction. =)

Since ethane is obviously cheaper, why don't the industry uses ethane (major vinyl acetate producer uses ethylene)?? Hmm, I tried researching but it seems that ethane is more appealing. Plus it claimed that it almost does not produce carbon monoxide, which is harmful to the 2nd reaction.

Any other supporting evidence?? Or comments??

These are the patents that i have found on ethane route:
i) https://www.google.com/patents/EP1180092B1?cl=en&dq=vinyl+acetate+monomer&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qYwVU9vON-msiAfyp4DQBA&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAw
ii) http://www.google.com/patents/US6852877

and ethylene route:
https://www.google.com/patents/US20130261330?dq=vinyl+acetate+monomer&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qYwVU9vON-msiAfyp4DQBA&ved=0CG0Q6AEwCA

it is all by Celanese International Corporation too. The more i read, the more I'm confused.

[curiouscat]

For one, ethylene seems a lot more reactive than ethane. I suspect it's mighty hard to break the C-C bond in ethane.

[LaylaLee]

Yah, the conversion is below 5% only.. Thanks!