The effect of Mo(CO)6 as a co-catalyst in the carbonylation of methanol to methyl formate catalyzed by potassium methoxide under CO, syngas and H2 atmospheres. HP-IR observation of the methoxycarbonyl intermediate of Mo(CO)6

Partial Oxidation of Methanol on Gold: How Selectivity Is Steered by Low-Coordinated Sites

Partial methanol oxidation proceeds with high selectivity to methyl formate (MeFo) on nanoporous gold (npAu) catalysts. As low-coordinated sites on npAu were suggested to affect the selectivity, we experimentally investigated their role in the isothermal selectivity for flat Au(111) and stepped Au(332) model surfaces using a molecular beam approach under well-defined conditions. Direct comparison shows that steps enhance desired MeFo formation and lower undesired overoxidation. DFT calculations reveal differences in oxygen distribution that enhance the barriers to overoxidation at steps. Thus, these results provide an atomic-level understanding of factors controlling the complex reaction network on gold catalysts, such as npAu.

Heterogeneity of oxygen reactivity: key for selectivity of partial methanol oxidation on gold surfaces

Recent evidence for low-temperature oxidation of methyl formate on Au(332) may affect the selectivity of gold catalysts during partial oxidation of methanol. Under isothermal conditions, overoxidation of methyl formate is significantly slower than methanol oxidation which can be attributed to special oxygen species required for overoxidation.

Conversion of Green Methanol to Methyl Formate

Methyl formate is a key component for both defossilized industry and mobility. The current industrial production via carbonylation of methanol has various disadvantages such as high requirements on reactant purity and low methanol conversion rates. In addition, there is a great interest in replacing the conventional homogeneous catalyst with a heterogeneous one, among other things to improve the downstream processing. This is why new approaches for methyl formate are sought. This review summarizes promising approaches for methyl formate production using methanol as a reactant.

Nonoxidative Dehydrogenation of Methanol to Methyl Formate through Highly Stable and Reusable CuMgO-Based Catalysts

Nonoxidative dehydrogenation of methanol to methyl formate over a CuMgO-based catalyst was investigated. Although the active site is metallic copper (Cu⁰), the best reaction conditions were obtained by tuning the ratio of Cu/Mg and doping the catalyst with 1 wt % of Pd to achieve a very specific activity for methyl formate synthesis. On the basis of the CO₂ temperature-programmed desorption study, the basic strength of the catalyst plays a role in the efficient conversion of methanol to methyl formate via dehydrogenation. These CuMgO-based catalysts show excellent thermal stability during the reaction and the regeneration processes. Approx. 80% methanol conversion with constant selectivity to methyl formate was achieved even after 4 rounds of usage for a total reaction time exceeding 200 h, indicative of their potential for practical applications.

A novel Cu–Mn/Ca–Zr catalyst for the synthesis of methyl formate from syngas

A novel catalyst comprised of Cu–Mn mixed oxides and CaO–ZrO₂ solid base has contributed to a high-performance methyl formate (MF) synthesis from syngas in a slurry reactor.