Patent ID: 6034141
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: B01J,C07C

Abstract:
A method for making isobutanol, comprising: contacting a catalyst having a noble metal supported on at least a first phase of mixed oxide crystallites containing from about 60 to about 74 atomic % zirconium, from about 21 to about 31 atomic % manganese and from about 5 to about 9 atomic % zinc, and less than about 1 atomic % alkali, a second phase of zirconium doped hetaerolite containing from about 65 to about 69% atomic % manganese, from about 31% to about 35% zinc, about 1 to about 5 atomic % zirconium, and optionally a trace atomic % of alkali, and a third phase containing from about 29 to about 55 atomic % manganese, from about 13 to about 55 atomic % zinc and from about 13 to about 35 atomic % zirconium, wherein the first phase mixed oxide crystallites have a particle size of about 40 .ANG. to about 100 .ANG., wherein the second phase particles have a particle size of about 200 .ANG. to greater than 1000 .ANG., and wherein the third phase has a particle size of about 1000 .ANG. to greater than4000 .ANG. with a feed containing methanol and a hydrocarbonaceous material selected from the group consisting of ethanol, n-propanol, ethylene and propylene and mixtures thereof and synthetic gas to produce isobutanol.