Patent ID: 8614258

Claim:
A process for converting synthesis gas to an oxygenate, which process comprises contacting a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst based on a transition metal-containing, Keggin-type heteropoly compound under conditions of temperature, pressure and gas hourly space velocity sufficient to convert said mixture to at least one alcohol wherein the alcohol is a one carbon to six carbon alcohol, the catalyst having a structure represented by general formula M 1 [HPA]M 2 M 3 where M 1 is at least one metal selected from a group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, zinc, cobalt, iron, manganese, nickel or copper where sum net charge of M 1 is equal to net negative charge of HPA anion; HPA is represented by general formula [XMo 12−(x+y) W x T y O 40 ] wherein Mo is molybdenum, W is tungsten, T is at least one transition metal selected from vanadium, copper, cobalt, iron, titanium, palladium, ruthenium, and manganese, x=0-12, y=0-3 provided that x+y=0-12, and X is at least one of phosphorous, silicon, germanium, and cobalt; M 2 is at least one of rhodium, palladium, iridium, rhenium, ruthenium, platinum and gold, and M 3 is an optional material that is at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, provided that when M 1 is an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, it is a different alkali metal or alkaline earth metal than M 3 , when M 1 is cobalt, X is at least one of phosphorous, silicon and germanium.