Efficient Hydrogenation of Alkyl Formate to Methanol over Nanocomposite Copper/Alumina Catalysts

Abstract The production of methanol, an important fuel and chemical feedstock, from carbon dioxide is an important process for CO 2 utilization. We describe herein a mild and efficient method for the indirect hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol via a CO 2 ‐derived formate ester intermediate by using a simple heterogeneous catalyst system comprising Cu highly dispersed in an alumina matrix under solvent‐free conditions. This catalyst is also effective for the hydrogenation of other formate esters, such as ethyl formate, propyl formate, and butyl formate.