Oxygenates synthesis from 1-hexene and syngas over supported cobalt catalysts

The supported cobalt catalyst, such as Co/SiO2, was found to be very active and selective for the synthesis of oxygenates (alcohols and aldehydes) from syngas and 1-hexene under mild reaction conditions. The addition of methanol or ethanol to the reaction system could greatly improve the catalytic activity. Esters and ethers were produced in this reaction system. The methanol and ethanol could act not only as solvent but also as reactant to react with the produced heptanal, resulting the great increasing of 1-hexene conversion.