Methanol Synthesis from Synthesis Gas utilziing an Innovated Ruthenium-Catalyzed Method

Methanol can be synthesized from Syngas using ruthenium catalysts. We report on the novel use of three new bidentate phosphinoamine ligands, PN's, R1R2NCH2CH2PPh2,[R1 = R2 = H; R1 = R2 = Me; R1 = Me, R2 = H] , to probe the two steps believed to be involved in this catalysis. The first step involves the formation of methyl formate from methanol using a base and carbon monoxide. In the second step this methyl formate is hydrogenated to give two moles of methanol using a single cell autoclave. Products were analyzed via GC chromatography. The conclusions of our studies will be reported as will their relevance to the catalytic reaction. Poster presented at SERMACs in Raleigh, at the ACS meeting in Greensboro and at the Undergraduate Research Expo at UNCG