Process for homologation of methanol to ethanol

摘要

Ethanol is prepared by contacting methanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst system comprising an iodide-free ruthenium-containing compound, an iodide-free quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt and a halide-free cobalt-containing compound, such as cobalt(III) acetylacetone or dicobalt octacarbonyl, in the presence of a substantially inert solvent.