PROCESS FOR STABILIZING CARBONYLATION CATALYST IN SOLUBLE FORM

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention provides for an improved process wherein an olefin, an alcohol, or an ester, halide or ether derivative of said alcohol is reacted with car-bon monoxide in a liquid phase in the presence of a cata-lyst system that contains (a) a rhodium component, and (b) an iodine or bromine component. By passing at least a portion of the liquid reaction mass from the reaction zone to a separation zone of substantially lower CO par-tial pressure, at least a portion of the carbonylation products, as well as unreacted carbon monoxide, inert gases and unreacted olefin, alcohol or alcohol derivatives are vaporized and can be withdrawn from the separation zone. Precipitation of the rhodium catalyst under cata-lyst under carbon monoxide deficient conditions is pre-vented or retarded by addition to the system of a stabi-lizer which is a compound of tin germanium, antimony or an alkali metal.