| abstract |
Ethanol and propanol are obtained side by side by reacting methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen at 150 to 250 ° C and pressures from 200 to 600 bar. The reaction takes place in the presence of catalysts which contain a cobalt compound, a ruthenium compound, iodine or an iodide and a bidentate organic phosphine or phosphite and in the presence of 5 to 25% by weight of water, based on the methanol used. |