2508. ------. [NATTA, G.]. Ethanol and Other Alcohols Produced Synthetically. British Patent 340,656, Oct. 16, 1929. Chem. Abs., vol. 25, 1931, p. 4894.

In the synthesis of EtOH and higher alcohols from CO and H₂ mixtures under pressure, with or without addition of MeOH, there are employed as catalysts alkali salts of aliphatic acids such as formates, acetates, or propionates of K; Rb or Cs mixed with porous supports such as ZnO, pumice, magnesite, or silica; or MeOH-synthesis catalysts such as calcined Smithsonite. A temperature of 400°-420° and pressure of 250-300 atm. are suitable. Synthetic MeOH may be used for washing the reaction gases to remove CO₂.

See also French Patent 683,320 (abs. 2502) and Swiss Patent 147,151 (abs. 2503).