Catalyst for the selective production of ethanol and methanol directly from synthesis gas

A catalyst for the direct production of ethanol or mixtures thereof with other alkanols containing up to three carbon atoms by the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen comprising (a) a ruthenium compound, (b) a promoter, and (c) an organic phosphine oxide solvent wherein said ruthenium compound (a) is a compound capable of generating a soluble ruthenium complex under the reaction conditions, said promoter (b) is (i) elemental iodine or bromine or a compound thereof which is capable of generating hydrogen iodide or hydrogen bromide during said reaction and is charged at an amount sufficient to generate a hydrogen halide to ruthenium atom mole ratio of from 0.001:1 to 5:1 in said reaction mixture, or (ii) an alkali halide at a ratio to ruthenium atom as high as 20:1, or (iii) mixture thereof, and said organic phosphine oxide solvent (c) is present at a concentration of from 1 to 100 weight percent of the total solvent charged.