Conversion of syngas to C1-C6 alcohol mixtures on promoted CuLa2Zr2O7 catalysts Original Research Article

New catalysts based on Co- and Mo-promoted CuLa2Zr2O7 methanol synthesis catalysts were prepared. These catalysts showed good activities and selectivities in the synthesis of C1-C6 alcohols from a CO+H2 mixture. These alcohols have an Anderson-Schulz-Flory type distribution. The influence of promoters and reaction conditions on the reactivities were investigated and compared. Co favors the chain growing process, and in that respect, it is more effective than Fe or Ni whereas Mo enhances only the hydrogenating power of the catalyst and so increases the total conversion. In the knowledge of the reaction mechanism, TPD after acetaldehyde adsorption and probe molecules experiments gave strong evidence of the insertion of a C1 oxygen-containing species into an alkyl chain.