Research progress on cu-based catalysts for alcohol synthesis

Due to the usage or good application prospects of alcohols in health, fuel and environmental fields, the synthesis of alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol and some other higher alcohols, has drawn considerable interests. Catalytic hydrogenation of syngas or some carbonyl compounds to alcohols is advantageous, as it uses various renewable and nonrenewable carbon resources. By using Rh-based catalysts in the hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds the high selectivity for alcohol could be obtained, but the prohibitive cost of Rh-based catalyst has spurred the research on less expensive Cu-based alternatives. In this paper, the preparation methods of Cu-based catalysts are reviewed, the influences of supports and promoters on the catalytic performance of Cu-based catalyst are introduced, and the future research trend is put forward. ©, 2015, Science Press. All right reserved.