Direct Conversion of Syngas to Higher Alcohols via Tandem Integration of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis and Reductive Hydroformylation

The selective conversion of syngas to higher alcohols is an attractive albeit elusive route in the quest for effective production of chemicals from alternative carbon resources. We report the tandem integration of solid cobalt Fischer-Tropsch and molecular hydroformylation catalysts in a one-pot slurry-phase process. Unprecedented selectivities (>50 wt %) to C2+ alcohols are achieved at CO conversion levels >70 %, alongside negligible CO2 side-production. The efficient overall transformation is enabled by catalyst engineering, bridging gaps in operation temperature and intrinsic selectivity which have classically precluded integration of these reactions in a single conversion step. Swift capture of 1-olefin Fischer-Tropsch primary products by the molecular hydroformylation catalyst, presumably within the pores of the solid catalyst is key for high alcohol selectivity. The results underscore that controlled cooperation between solid aggregate and soluble molecular metal catalysts, which pertain to traditionally dichotomic realms of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, is a promising blueprint toward selective conversion processes.

Automated summary

We report a method that integrates solid cobalt Fischer-Tropsch and molecular hydroformylation catalysts in tandem for selective conversion of syngas to higher alcohols. Catalyst engineering enables efficient overall transformation by bridging gaps in operation temperature and intrinsic selectivity. The results demonstrate that controlled cooperation between solid and soluble catalysts is a promising approach for selective conversion processes.