Process for producing ethanol and n-propanol from methanol and synthesis gas

US4472526A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ruhrchemie Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Boy Cornils · Dinslaken, DE
• Carl D. Frohning · Wesel, DE
• Helmut Bahrmann · Hamminkeln, DE
• Wolfgang Lipps · Isny im Allgäu, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 29, 1982
• Grant date: Sep 18, 1984
• Expiry date: Sep 29, 2002

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/52
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for producing ethanol and n-propanol by reacting methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen at elevated pressure and temperature. A system consisting of a cobalt compound, a ruthenium compound, an iodide, and an organic phosphine serves as the catalyst. The organic phosphine contains a group having a --SO.sub.3 M, --COOM or --OSO.sub.3 M radical.