CATALYTIC DEHYDROGENATION OF METHANOL TO WATER-FREE FORMALDEHYDE

Catalytic dehydrogenation of methanol is a promising process of producing water-free formaldehyde. The present paper reviews research in this field. As effective catalysts mainly transition metal compounds as well as oxides and salts containing sodium have been reported. Several catalysts exhibit high activity and high selectivity, for formaldehyde at low conversions while further efforts have to be made to improve catalyst stability and selectivity at high conversions. Catalytic dehydrogenation of methanol to formaldehyde is compared with methanol oxidation.