Abstract A catalyst and process useful at low temperatures (below about 160° C.) and preferably in the range 80°-120° C. used in the production of methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen is disclosed. The catalyst is used in slurry form and comprises a complex reducing agent derived from the component structure NaH--RONa--M(OAc) 2 where M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, and Co and R is a lower alkyl group containing 1-6 carbon atoms. This catalyst is preferably used alone but is also effective in combination with a metal carbonyl of a group VI (Mo, Cr, W) metal. The preferred catalyst precursor is Nic (where M=Ni and R=tertiary amyl). Mo(CO) 6 is the preferred metal carbonyl if such component is used. The catalyst is subjected to a conditioning or activating step under temperature and pressure, similar to the parameters given above, to afford the active catalyst.
A process for producing methanol by a low temperature reaction of CO with H 2 in the presence of a slurry catalyst system resulting from combination of: (a) a complex reducing agent of the type NaH--ROH--M(OAc) 2 , where M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, and Co and R is a lower alkyl group having from 1-6 carbon atoms; and (b) a carbonyl complex of one of the group VI metals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A process for producing methanol by a low temperature reaction of CO with H 2 in the presence of a slurry catalyst system resulting from combination of: (a) a complex reducing agent of the type NaH--ROH--M(OAc) 2 , where M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, and Co and R is a lower alkyl group having from 1-6 carbon atoms; and (b) a carbonyl complex of one of the group VI metals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said complex reducing agent is a hydrogenating agent which is a basic complex reaction product of an alkali metal hydride, an alcohol, and a heavy metal salt, wherein the heavy metal component of said salt is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, and Co and the alkyl fraction of the alcohol is a C 1 -C 6 hydrocarbon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the alkyl fraction is tertiary amyl.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the reaction is conducted at a temperature equal to or less than 160° C. and at a pressure of 50-1000 psi in a syngas atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the process is carried out as a batch process commencing at least at 200 psi and completing at about 50 psi in a retrograde or descending pressure operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the complex reducing agent component is the complex derived from NaH-tertiary amyl alcohol-Ni(OAc) 2 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the carbonyl complex component is Mo(CO) 6 .