Process for producing methanol form synthesis gas, in the liquid phase

A process for producing methanol from synthesis gas in the liquid phase, comprising the steps of:

• reacting CO and H.sub.2, in a molar ratio of 0.5-5, at a temperature higher than 40.degree. C. and lower than 200.degree. C., in the presence of (1) a solution of a solvent and a catalyst system, said catalyst system, comprising a copper compound selected from the group consisting of copper alkoxides, copper halides and copper carboxylates, and an alkali metal alkoxide, alkaline-earth-metal alkoxide or mixture thereof of the formula
• (RO).sub.x M
• wherein M is an alkali or alkaline-earth metal, R is C.sub.1-10 alkyl and x is the valence of the alkali or alkaline-earth metal;
• and (2) methanol, an alkyl formate of the formula
• HCOOR.sub.f
• wherein R.sub.f is a C.sub.1-20 alkyl group or mixture thereof,
• wherein the molar ratio of methanol to copper is 1-500, the molar ratio of said alkali or alkaline-earth metal alkoxide to methanol is 0.05-500, the molar ratio of said alkyl formate to copper is 1-1,000 and the molar ratio of said alkali or alkaline-earth metal alkoxide to said alkyl formate is 0.05-500, and
• wherein the concentration of said copper compound in said solution is 0.001-1 molar and the concentration of said alkali or alkaline-earth metal alkoxide in said solution is 0.01-5 molar.