Study of the Mechanism of Higher Alcohol Synthesis on Cu-ZnO-Al2O3 Catalysts by Catalytic Tests, Probe Molecules, and Temperature Programmed Desorption Studies

Abstract

In addition to catalytic tests, the addition of probe molecules (methanol, formaldehyde, ethylene glycol, ethanol, acetone, propionaldehyde) and thermoprogrammed-desorption studies (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, ethanol, acetone) have been used to investigate the mechanism of higher alcohol synthesis on Cu-ZnO-Al2O3 catalysts. More attention is given to the first carbon-carbon bond and branched-product formation. An overall mechanism is proposed. © 1991, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.