Advances in developments of the catalysts for one-step synthesis of dimethyl ether from syngas

The physicochemical properties of dimethyl ether(DME),its application,possible reaction mechanisms and kinetics models for one-step syngas-to-dimethyl ether conversion were reviewed.The active components in the catalysts for either methanol synthesis or methanol dehydration were discussed. It was shown that CuO/ZnO/Al_2O_3 exhibited higher activity and stability for methanol synthesis and γ-Al_2O_3 and zeolites had higher activity for methanol dehydration.The methods for preparation and modi- fication of catalysts were outlined,too.