KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF METHYL FORMATE TRANSFORMATIONS ON COPPER-CONTAINING CATALYSTS

Transformations of methyl formate on copper-containing catalysts with and without hydrogen were studied at 90-200 degrees C and 1 atm. Kinet ic parameters of methyl formate hydrogenation to methanol and decompos ition to CO and H-2 were determined. The rate of methyl formate decomp osition was shown to decrease with an increase in its initial concentr ation. Based on the experimental data, the mechanism of methyl formate transformations:and synthesis from methanol on copper-containing cata lysts was discussed.