Synthesis of Higher Alcohols on Low-Temperature Methanol Catalysts

Abstract

The synthesis of higher molecular weight alcohols together with methanol from synthesis gas was investigated using low temperature methanol catalysts obtained from homogeneous precursors with hydrotalcite-like structures. The addition of potassium up to about 0.4% by weight favoured the synthesis of higher molecular weight alcohols, a formation which, however, was observed also with the undoped catalysts, as a function of the catalyst composition and the reduction condition adopted. The catalyst composition influenced also the selectivity in the different alcohols. The formation of higher molecular weight alcohols was favoured by the pressure and low values of the H 2 /CO ratio in the gas mixture and of the inlet space velocity, with a range of operating temperature limited to 523–573K.