Recent developments in isobutanol synthesis from synthesis gas

The increased demand for methyl-t-butyl ether (MTBE) and other tertiary alk yl ethers as gasoline additives has attracted attention to alternative path ways for their production. A possible way offers the synthesis of isobutano l-methanol mixtures via CO hydrogenation, During the previous years a subst antial number of papers has appeared, which legitimates an assessment of th e current state of knowledge. This review aims to give a summary of the lat est activities and covers the recent progress made in catalyst development, mechanistical investigations and engineering concepts. (C) 1999 Elsevier S cience B.V. All rights reserved.