HYDROCARBONYLATION OF METHANOL TO ETHANOL IN THE PRESENCE OF ADDED COMPOUNDS

摘要

Ethanol is produced by contacting a fixture of methanol and synthesis gas at elevated temperature and pressure with a cobalt-containing catalyst in the presence of added acids and/or acid derivatives, e,g, acetic acid and methyl acetate. Optionally a catalyst promoter such as iodine, bromine or an organo-phosphorus compound is also added. Optionally also non-polar solvents such as alkanes, benzene and alkyl substituted benzenes may be added.