Efficient Hydrogenation of Alkyl Formate to Methanol over Nanocomposite Copper/Alumina Catalysts

The production of methanol, an important fuel and chemical feedstock, from carbon dioxide is an important process for CO2 utilization. We describe herein a mild and efficient method for the indirect hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol via a CO2-derived formate ester intermediate by using a simple heterogeneous catalyst system comprising Cu highly dispersed in an alumina matrix under solvent-free conditions. This catalyst is also effective for the hydrogenation of other formate esters, such as ethyl formate, propyl formate, and butyl formate.