AN EFFECTIVE CATALYST, CU-B2O3 SIO2, FOR HYDROGENOLYSIS OF METHYL FORMATE AND ONE-STEP SYNTHESIS OF METHANOL IN SLURRY-PHASE WITH POTASSIUMMETHOXIDE/

Some chromium-free copper-based catalysts are tested for the gas-phase hydrogenolysis of methyl formate, in which Cu-B2O3/SiO2 catalyst is i dentified to be the most promising. The behaviors of Cu-B2O3/SiO2 cata lysts are also examined in the slurry-phase hydrogenolysis of methyl f ormate, along with a discussion of the promoting effect of B2O3. Also, Cu-B2O3/SiO2 is used with potassium methoxide as a co-catalyst for th e carbonylation of methanol to regenerate the potassium methoxide from potassium formate and potassium methyl carbonate. Moreover, the slurr y-phase one-step synthesis of methanol is studied using KOCH3/Cu-B2O3/ SiO2 mixed catalyst under relatively mild conditions.