High pressure reaction of methanol with CO or CO + H2 catalyzed by sulfided

The reaction of methanol with CO or CO + H2 has been carried out over various carbon supported CoMo sulfided catalysts at pressures up to 75 atm and temperatures of 250 and 300°C. Methyl acetate was the main product in the reaction of methanol with CO. When the reaction was carried out at high-temperature conditions, high pressures of MeOH and CO prevented changes in selectivity by aggregation, as shown by TPR analysis. Sulfided CoMoC catalysts were inactive for the hydrogenation of CO to methanol. However, the reaction of MeOH with CO + H2 resulted in significant ethanol selectivity, especially at 300°C. Ethanol is probably formed by hydrogenation of both acetaldehyde and methyl acetate, the latter taking place mainly at 300°C.