Carbonylation of Methanol with CO in Presence Potassium Methoxide Catalyst

Catalysts prepared from potassium hydroxide and methanol were tested for methanol carbonylation with CO in the range of 70-90oC and 20-25 kg/cm2(g). Methyl formate was produced selectively under the studied conditions. Lower temperatures and higher pressures enhanced the conversion of CO. Water in the catalyst solution did not completion removed by molecular sieve type 3A, thus the catalyst activity becomes decreased. The influence of inert gases in the gas mixture will cause the partial pressure of CO decreased and also conversion of CO. The reaction rate was first order with respect to the concentration of CO in the gas phase. The activation energy was found to be 14.95 kJ/mol and frequency collision factor is 0.59 min-1.