Methanol synthesis from carbon dioxide and hydrogen via formic ester

Abstract

A new route of methanol synthesis, at 473 K and 30 bar, from carbon dioxide and hydrogen through formic ester was reported, by using active carbon supported palladium catalyst and coexisting weak base. This one-pot reaction consisted of 3 steps: (1) formic acid synthesis from CO2 and H2, (2) esterification of formic acid by ethanol to ethyl formate, (3) hydrogenolysis of ethyl formate to methanol and ethanol, the rate-determining step. Longer reaction time favored methanol synthesis and high CO2 conversion.