Methods of higher alcohol synthesis

A method of producing butanol, the method comprising reacting methanol with ethanol, propanol, or mixtures thereof at pressures under 3000 psi and temperatures between about 200° C. and about 400° C. using a catalyst, wherein the catalyst consists essentially of copper on hydrotalcite.

A method of producing a mixture of butanol, higher alcohols, and hydrocarbons from synthesis gas, the method comprising:

• (a) reacting the gas at pressures between about 500 and about 3000 psi and temperatures between about 200° C. and about 400° C. over a catalyst, wherein the catalyst consists essentially of copper, zinc, and potassium on a substrate, to yield a mixture of alcohols and hydrocarbons comprising methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol, as well as other alcohols and hydrocarbons;
• and
• (b) reacting the methanol with the ethanol and/or propanol to produce butanol at pressures under 3000 psi and temperatures between about 200° C. and about 400° C. using a catalyst comprising copper on hydrotalcite.

A catalyst consisting essentially of copper, zinc, and potassium deposited on a substrate.

A catalyst consisting essentially of copper, zinc, and potassium and at least one of cobalt and/or manganese deposited on a substrate.

A catalyst consisting essentially of copper on hydrotalcite, wherein the hydrotalcite is a strongly basic variety with a MgO to Al2O3 ratio greater than 1:1.