Kinetic Studies of the Vapour Phase Hydrogenolysis of Methyl Formate to Methanol on Copper-Based Catalysts

摘要

Copper-based catalysts have been identified as particularly effective for the hydrogenolysis of esters to the corresponding alcohols. Copper chromite is widely used commercially and skeletal copper catalysts have also been considered. The hydrogenolysis of methyl formate CH_3OCHO + 2H_2 → 2CH_3OH (1) is of particular interest as part of an alternative two step route for methanol production in which methyl formate is first made by the reaction between methanol and CO and then undergoes hydrogenolysis, thus doubling the quantity of methanol. Calculations indicate that significant energy savings may be possible.