Syngas reactions XII. The selective preparation of acetaldehyde,alkanols, esters and acetic acid from synthesis gas

Several classes of commercially important oxygenates, including acetaldehyde, ethanol, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate and acetic acid as well as C₁–C₃ alcohol/acetate ester mixtures, may each be selectivelygenerated from synthesis gas through the application of novel classes of ruthenium-containing bimetallic catalysts particularly those of ruthenium and cobalt (Ru? Co). A particular feature of these versatile catalysts is that all precursors are iodidefree. Products are formed through a combination of carbon monoxide hydrogenation, methanol homologation, methyl acetate homologation and methanol carbonylation reaction sequences.