METHANOL AND METHYL FORMATE SYNTHESIS FROM SYNTHESIS GAS OVER CUPROUS CHLORIDE CATALYST IN LIQUID PHASE

摘要

A slurry phase synthesis of methanol and methyl formate (MF) in a single reactor at low temperature is investigated. A mixed catalyst system composed of alkali methoxide and cuprous chloride has been found to be active for methanol synthesis. The reaction was carried out under relatively mild conditions (363 K?403 K, 3 Mpa-6 Mpa), and the space-time yield of methanol (STY) reached 20.8 g.L~-1. H~-1 (T=363 K, P=5.0 Mpa) and 43.8 g.L~-1.h~-1 while adding promoter hydride. The selectivity to methanol depends on temperature. The concurrent synthesis displays salient differences from the individual reactions. The reaction pathway may involve a homogeneous carbonylation of methanol to methyl formate followed by the heterogeneous hydrogenolysis of methyl formate to methanol.