A new low-temperature synthesis route of methanol: Catalytic effect of the alcoholic solvent

The effects of different alcohols as reaction solvent on the synthesis of methanol from CO/CO2/H-2 on solid Cu/ZnO catalyst were investigated. In the presence of some alcohol, especially 2-alcohol, as reaction medium, the reaction of methanol synthesis proceeded with high activity at temperatures as low as 423-443 K, much lower than the temperature in the present industrial methanol production process. This method is very promising to become a new technology for low-temperature synthesis of methanol where complete purification of syngas is not necessary.