Synthesis of alcohols from carbon oxides and hydrogen on ZnCrTi oxides: preparation and catalytic activity

Ternary systems of composition (1–x)ZnCrO_2.5·xZn₂TiO₄ were tested in the synthesis of higher alcohols from syngas. The catalysts after calcination were found to be solid solutions of Zn, Cr and Ti oxides of spinel like structure, with only a small amount of crystalline ZnO phase segregated. After the catalytic test more important quantities of crystalline ZnO were formed in the catalysts revealing an intrinsic instability of the system. However, a significant maximum in selectivity to higher alcohols was found forx = 0.1 and is associated with an increased rate of isobutanol (2-methylpropanol) formation observed on this system.