Direct Synthesis of Ethylene Glycol from Syngas

Abstract After decades of development, the reaction conditions for direct synthesis of ethylene glycol (EG) from syngas are still very harsh. The reason for the severe conditions of direct synthesis of EG is revealed by thermodynamic analysis. This review analyzed the reason why all the current studies on direct synthesis of EG from syngas are homogeneous synthesis. Through the evidence of other related studies and the exploration of reaction mechanism, some suggestions for the further investigation of direct synthesis of EG are also put forward. We also summarizes the progress of direct synthesis of EG from syngas in the past decades, and details the current development status. The catalysts, promoters and reaction conditions used for direct synthesis of EG are sorted out.