Process for producing two-carbon atom oxygenated compounds from synthesis gas with minimal production of methane

In a process for the reaction of a synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, the improvement for selectively producing two-carbon atom oxygenated hydrocarbon products while minimizing the production of methane comprises continuously contacting said synthesis gas with a heterogeneous catalyst comprising rhodium in combination with at least one alkali metal selected from the group consisting of lithium, potassium, cesium and rubidium at reaction conditions such that product efficiencies based on carbon consumption in excess of 10 percent are achieved and ethanol, acetic acid and acetaldehyde are formed in an amount which is at least about 50 weight percent of the two or more carbon atom compounds produced by the reaction whereby the production of methane is reduced such that the carbon efficiency to methane is lower than the corresponding carbon efficiency when lithium, potassium, cesium and/or rubidium are absent from said heterogeneous catalyst, which reaction conditions include a temperature within the range from about 150.degree.-450.degree. C., a pressure within the range of from about 15-10,000 psig, and a mole ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide within the range of from about 20:1 to 1:200.