Integrating Hydroformylations with Methanol-to-Syngas Reforming

Abstract

We report the successful union of two valuable catalytic cycles, the acceptorless dehydrogenation of methanol to syngas and hydroformylations of olefins. We demonstrate the importance of the rate and selectivity of the syngas release, and how matching it with a low-pressure rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation results in an efficient methodology for accessing oxo products. Furthermore, it is possible to replace coal- or natural gas-derived syngas with fuel-grade e-methanol accessed from CO2 capture and hydrogenation on gram scale. While these conditions do not mimic those applied in industrial settings producing bulk chemicals, we consider this dual catalysis a proof-of-concept for the possibility of synthesising oxo-products entirely from CO2 as renewable carbon feedstock and integrating this important transformation into a methanol economy. It is our expectation that redesigning the chemical value chains to extend from renewable platforms such as methanol may be an important part of establishing a sustainable chemical industry. Methanol-to-syngas, Hydroformylation, Acceptorless dehydrogenation, Green Methanol, Methanol economy. 

Keywords: Methanol-to-syngas, Hydroformylation, Acceptorless dehydrogenation, Green Methanol, Methanol economy