Process for producing two-carbon atom oxygenated compounds from synthesis gas with minimal production of methane

摘要

A process for selectively preparing a mixture of two-carbon atom oxygenated hydrocarbons, namely, acetic acid, ethanol and acetaldehyde, by continuously contacting a gaseous reaction mixture containing hydrogen and carbom monoxide with a solid catalyst comprising rhodium in combination with sodium at reaction conditions correlated so as to favor the formation of a substantial proportion of such two-carbon atom products.