Ethanol from methanol

US4239925A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Gulf Research & Development Company · US

Inventors

• Wayne R. Pretzer · Gibsonia, US
• Thaddeus P. Kobylinski · Gibsonia, US
• John E. Bozik · Beaver, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 25, 1979
• Grant date: Dec 16, 1980
• Expiry date: May 25, 1999

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C29/32
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for selectively producing ethanol which comprises introducing into a reaction zone methanol, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, a cobalt tricarbonyl complex and an iodine promoter and then subjecting the contents of said reaction zone to an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure for a time period sufficient to convert methanol to ethanol.