Synthesis of methanol by hydrogenolysis of biobased methyl formate using highly stable and active Cu-spinel catalysts in slurry and gas phase reactions

Abstract

A new two-stage production route for methanol from biomass is proposed, including hydrogenolysis of methyl formate to methanol. The Cu0.9Al2O4 spinel catalyst is shown to be highly active for this reaction and stable against corrosion by formic acid.