Process and catalysts for the oxidation of methanol and/or ethanol

摘要

A process for oxidation of methanol, ethanol, or a mixture of methanol and ethanol comprising contacting the methanol and/or ethanol with an oxygen-containing gas and a supported catalyst comprising one or more platinum group oxides. The process conditions and/or catalyst may be selected to as to selectively produce methyl formate from methanol or diethoxyethane from ethanol. The invention also includes certain novel supported platinum group metal oxide catalysts. Preferred catalysts include one or more ruthenium oxides.