Production of ethanol from methanol

A process for converting methanol to ethanol, comprising:

• (a) reacting methanol and carbon monoxide at a molar ratio of methanol to carbon monoxide of from about 2 to about 10, a temperature of from about 175° C. to about 250° C., and a pressure of from about 20 atm to about 50 atm, in the presence of a catalyst comprising rhodium supported on a support selected from the group consisting of carbon and alumina, wherein said catalyst is dispersed in an inert oil, to produce a product comprising at least 25 mole % methyl acetate;
• and
• (b) hydrogenating said methyl acetate at a molar ratio of hydrogen to methyl acetate of from about 5 to about 10, at a temperature of from about 225° C. to about 275° C., and at a pressure of from about 10 atm to about 50 atm, in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper, to produce ethanol.