Process for the production of alcohols

摘要

Methanol is converted into alcohols containing at least two carbon atoms by reaction with hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and superatmospheric pressure in the presence, as catalyst, of (i) an oxide of Th and/or U and (ii) one or more alkali metals the latter being present in an amount of at least 1% by weight. Preferably the catalyst is free of hydrogenating metals. The methanol can be prepared by reaction of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a methanol-forming catalyst.