Novel Ethanol Synthesis Method via C1 Chemicals without Any Agriculture Feedstocks

Abstract

A new method of ethanol synthesis from dimethyl ether (DME) and syngas was developed, which is via combined carbonylation of dimethyl ether and hydrogenation of methyl acetate. The conversion of DME is up to 100% and the selectivity of ethanol is as high as 48.5%. On the other hand, methanol as another main product of this study is formed as 47.6%, which can be recycled as a reactant of DME synthesis (MTD), leading to lower the cost of this new ethanol synthesis method.