Aspekte und Probleme der Synthesegaschemie

Abstract

Synthesis gas or methanol (or other C1 components) are sources for the production of all important basic or intermediate products of the organic chemical industry. CO hydrogenation leads to a broad product distribution given by an unselective chain growth mechanism. Therefore, an important target of catalyst research in the field of CO hydrogenation is the limitation of the selectivity problem. Following this essential task chain growth is to be limited, the range of the C number of products is to be narrowed, hydrogenation activity is to be varied, and oxygenated products are to be formed selectively. Approaches to circumvent some selectivity problems may be possible by the application of shape selective catalysts, by the modification of some classical CO hydrogenation catalyst systems or by use of unconventional catalysts. At present selective formation is possible by the separation of the hydrogenation step to the C1 component methanol and of the step of chain growth. In connection with carbonylation and hydrocarbonylation reactions the heterogenisation of complex catalysts may be of future importance.