Silica‐supported Catalyst System Rh−Mn−Ir−Li−Ti in Syngas to Ethanol Reaction: Reactivity Trends and Performance Optimization

Ethanol is a high‐value chemical that can be produced from syngas derived from fossil or renewable resources. Silica‐supported catalysts based on Rh are reported to show the best performance so far. We report a comprehensive investigation for influence of catalyst composition on performance in syngas conversion to ethanol. We evaluate 53 different silica‐supported catalysts with a varying degree of Rh, Mn, Ir, Li and Ti, via high‐throughput testing. Correlation analysis reveals that Li and Ir tend to increase the selectivity to C2+ oxygenates, and catalysts with a 0.95 molar ratio of Rh : Mn show a tendency for high CO conversion. The composition 2.8Rh, 0.45Mn, 1.3Ir, 0.04Li, where the numbers indicate weight percentage, is identified to yield one of the highest C2+ oxygenate values reported in the literature so far. Moreover, combining this catalyst with a hydrogenation catalyst and converting C2+ oxygenates to ethanol, provides one of the highest ethanol yields reported so far in literature. Catalyst in Syngas Conversion to Ethanol: Over 50 Rh‐based catalysts with varying degree of Mn, Ir, Li and Ti were synthesized and tested for CO hydrogenation via high throughput experimentation. Through employing a data‐driven approach, general performance trends rising from compositional changes were detected, and the highest ethanol yield reported to this date for similar catalytic systems was obtained. Additionally, optimization potential via tandem catalysis is demonstrated.