Role of Cobalt Carbide in High Alcohols (C1-C18) Synthesis From Syngas Over Activated Carbon Supported Cobalt Catalysts

The mixed linear &alpha-alcohols of C₆-C₁₈ are used as intermediates of plasticizers, detergents and lubricants, and their synthesis from natural gas, coal, extra heavy oil or biomass resources via syngas (H₂/CO) is of high interests in both industry and academia. It has long been recognized that the mixed alcohols of C₁-C₆ could be successfully produced from syngas. Extensive studies have been carried out in an attempt to improve the selectivity toward C₁-C₁₈, especially C₆-C₁₈ alcohols, in the FT process, particularly under the conditions with low selectivity to methane and CO₂. Exxon reported a Th-promoted Fe catalyst, on which about 8wt% C₆-C₁₂ alcohols were produced in the total organic products. Recently, Buess et al. prepared the CoCuMn and CoCuMg catalysts via co-precipitated for the synthesis of C₁-C₁₂ alcohol. They found that the catalysts exhibited 2-7% selectivity to C₆+ alcohols on the basis of converted CO. Thus, the direct synthesis of C₆-C₁₆ alcohols from syngas with high yield is highly desirable.