The deactivation kinetics of catalysts for vinyl acetate (I) [108-05-4] manuf. from ethylene, AcOH, and O were studied in regard to product inhibition. Surface reactions were studied using models and a 2-parameter model was discussed which satisfactorily described the kinetics of relatively low I concns. I formation decreased with increasing CO2 and acetaldehyde [75-07-0] concns. The formation of I and CO2 occurred at different centers on the catalyst and followed different deactivation kinetics so the reactions could be selectively poisoned. [on SciFinder (R)]