Research Progress on Mercury-Free Catalysts for Acetylene Hydrochlorination

Abstract

Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is mainly used for synthesis of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Two methods are employed for industrial synthesis of vinyl chloride monomer, the hydrochlorination of acetylene and the dehydrochlorination of ethylene dichloride (1,2-dichloroethane). In China, about 70% of VCM products are produced from acetylene hydrochlorination. It is a great challenge to use new-type mercury-free catalysts instead of highly toxic activated carbon supported HgCl 2 catalyst. In this contribution, the progress in research on mercuryfree catalysts for acetylene hydrochlorination is summarized, and the development prospects of mercury-free catalysts are looked forward.