GB381185A - Process for the production of higher alcohols - Google Patents

Abstract

Higher alcohols are prepared by passing a mixture of hydrogen with the vapour of both methyl and ethyl alcohols over catalysts comprising an alkaline-earth metal oxide, particularly magnesia, activated by the presence of less than 10 per cent of one or more of the oxides of the metals lead, thorium, silver, uranium, tungsten, cadmium, tin, chromium, manganese, zinc, iron, nickel, cobalt, and copper. The reaction is effected below 400 DEG C., preferably between 200 and 350 DEG C., at ordinary or increased pressure, and using one-half to three molecular proportions of hydrogen (a molecule being regarded as H2) per molecular proportion of alcohol mixture. The catalyst may be stabilized by the addition of aluminium oxide or hydroxide, titanium oxide or hydroxide, stannic acid gel, silica gel or wood charcoal; the influence of the latter is stated to persist even after the usual regenerative treatment with oxidizing gases or steam at temperatures of 300-500 DEG C. Pretreatment of the catalysts with moist gases containing oxygen is advantageous. Examples are given of the preparation of (1) a product comprising n-propyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, methylethylcarbin carbinol, hexyl, heptyl, octyl and nonyl alcohols by use of a catalytic mixture of magnesium, aluminium and copper oxides, the pressure conditions being atmospheric; unchanged methyl and ethyl alcohols, as well as the small quantities of acetaldehyde and butyraldehyde formed, are returned to the reaction; (2) a mixture of n-propyl, isobutyl, n-butyl and higher alcohols with methylethylcarbin carbinol, using the same catalyst as in (1), but at a higher temperature and the gases under a pressure of 30 atmospheres. Specification 364,134 is referred to.ALSO:Catalytic materials for the preparation of higher alcohols from a mixture of methyl and ethyl alcohols in the presence of hydrogen comprise an alkaline earth metal oxide, particularly magnesia, activated by the presence of less than 10 per cent of one or more of the oxides of the metals lead, thorium, silver, uranium, tungsten, cadmium, tin, chromium, manganese, zinc, iron, nickel, cobalt and copper. The catalyst may be stabilized by the addition of aluminium oxide or hydroxide, titanium oxide or hydroxide, stannic acid gel, silica gel or wood charcoal; the influence of the latter is stated to persist even after the usual regenerative treatment with oxidizing gases or steam at temperatures of 300-500 DEG C. Pre-treatment of the catalysts with moist gases containing oxygen is advantageous. Specification 364,134 is referred to.