Synthesis and Reforming of Dimethoxymethane

Abstract

Abstract The recent progress of research on the synthesis and reforming of dimethoxymethane (DMM) is reviewed. Direct synthesis of DMM via partial oxidation of methanol might be a more effective way than the traditional condensation of formaldehyde and methanol catalyzed by an acid. Bi-functional catalysts with both acidic and redox properties are required for the selective oxidation of methanol to DMM, on which the redox sites play the function to oxidize methanol to formaldehyde which is then condensed with additional methanol on acidic sites to form DMM. The conversion of methanol could reach 60% with about 90% selectivity for DMM over special designed catalysts. Compared to methanol, DMM is much less toxic and more environmentally benign. Thus, DMM might be used as a fuel to be reformed to produce H2 for fuel cells. Bi-functional complex catalysts with acidic and Cu-ZnO/γ-Al2O3 components are required for the reforming of DMM with water to produce H2. Highly active acidic component is required to hydrolyze DMM to methanol and formaldehyde, which can then be reformed to produce H2 on the surface of copper in Cu-ZnO/γ-Al2O3. The complex catalyst consisting of a traditional Cu-ZnO/γ-Al2O3 and an acidic carbon material H-HSPRC prepared by carbonizing a phenolic resin was found to be highly active for the reforming of DMM with water to produce H2. The rate of H2 production was as high as 7400 ml/(g·h) for DMM reforming over the complex catalyst Cu-ZnO/γ-Al2O3-H-HSPRC at 513 K, significantly higher than that of methanol reforming over the traditional Cu-ZnO/γ-Al2O3 at the same temperature.