Process for producing ethanol and n-propanol from methanol

US4424383A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ruhrchemie Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Boy Cornils · Dinslaken, DE
• Carl D. Frohning · Wesel, DE
• Gerhard Diekhaus · Oberhausen, DE
• Ernst Wiebus · Oberhausen, DE
• Helmut Bahrmann · Hamminkeln, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 10, 1981
• Grant date: Jan 3, 1984
• Expiry date: Nov 10, 2001

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01J2531/845
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for the production of ethanol or propanol comprising the reaction of methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst contains a cobalt compound, a ruthenium compound, iodine or an iodide, and a bi-dentate organic phosphine or phosphite. The reaction is carried out at 150.degree. to 250.degree. C., 200 to 600 bars, and in the presence of 5 to 25% by weight of water, based on the methanol.