Effect of Cerium Dioxide in NiCl.sub.2-CuCl.sub.2 Compositions Deposited on Activated Carbon on Their Catalytic Properties in the Vapor-Phase Carbonylation of Methanol

It was shown that modification of the catalytic composition NiCl.sub.2-CuCl.sub.2 with cerium dioxide on activated carbon leads to increase in the selectivity of formation (87%) and yield (38%) of methyl acetate in the vapor-phase carbonylation of methanol. The promoting effect is caused by increase in the dispersion of the deposited particles of copper and nickel chlorides and also by the possible formation of mixed (Cu-Ce)-containing phases that are more selective with respect to methyl acetate production.