Process for producing methanol from synthesis gas

The process for making the products methanol or carboxylate derivatives thereof directly from synthesis gas mixtures consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which comprises;

• establishing and maintaining a solvent-containing liquid phase comprising solubilized ruthenium carbonyl catalyst complex in which the solvent has a dielectric constant of at least 2, determined at 20.degree. C. or at its melting point, whichever occurs higher;
• supplying hydrogen and carbon monoxide to said liquid phase;
• providing a Lewis acid which is a compound of boron, aluminum or gallium, as promoter of said reaction in said liquid phase;
• and
• maintaining said liquid phase for a sufficient period of time at a temperature and pressure which causes said hydrogen and carbon monoxide to react to produce such products in high concentrations with substantially no by-products or other alcohols being prepared, wherein said temperature is between about 50.degree. C. and 400.degree. C. and said pressure is between about 500 psia (35.15 kg/cm.sup.2) and 15,000 psia (1,054.6 kg/cm.sup.2).