Formation of higher alcohols from methanol in the presence of metal acetylides

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Catal.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9517(84)90093-9· OSTI ID:5903403

Fox, J R; Pesa, F A; Curatolo, B S

Experiments have shown that methanol can be converted to higher-molecular-weight alcohols in the vapor phase in the presence of a metal acetylide. Isobutyl alcohol is the predominant higher alcohol formed. Significant amounts of ethanol, propanol, butanol, 2-methylbutanol, and 2-methylpentanol are also produced. In addition to higher alcohols, a significant portion of the methanol is converted to CH/sub 4/, CO, and H/sub 2/. The overall product distribution is a function of the metal acetylide employed and the reaction conditions. /sup 13/C labeling studies have conclusively shown that the source of the carbon in the higher alcohols is the methanol, not the metal acetylide. However, studies indicate that the process is not catalytic, presumably due to the fact that under reaction conditions, the metal acetylide is converted to other species which are not catalytically active. Attempts to determine the fate of the acetylide and the catalytic activity of the resultant species are described. A mechanism consistent with experimental observations is presented to explain the high selectivity to isobutyl alcohol and similarities to the heterogeneous isosynthesis catalysts are discussed. 38 references, 4 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Sohio Research Center, Warrensville Heights, OH
• OSTI ID: 5903403
• Journal Information: J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 90:1; ISSN JCTLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
2-METHYLPROPANOL
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201 -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
ALCOHOLS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKANES
BUTANOLS
CALCIUM CARBIDES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CERIUM CARBIDES
CERIUM COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTION YIELD
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DATA
ELEMENTS
ETHANOL
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HEXANOLS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
KINETICS
LANTHANUM CARBIDES
LANTHANUM COMPOUNDS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
METHANE
METHANOL
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PENTANOLS
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS
REACTION KINETICS
REAGENTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SODIUM CARBIDES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SPECTROSCOPY
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SYNTHESIS
TIME DEPENDENCE
YIELDS