An investigation has been made of the hydrocarbonylation of methanol w
ith an equimolar mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen at 20.0 MPa a
nd 220 degrees C on homogeneous cobalt catalysts in the presence of di
fferent solvents and promoters. The optimum composition of the catalyt
ic system for the production of ethanol as the main reaction product u
nder the given conditions has been determined. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scien
ce Ltd.