Mechanistic studies on the homogeneous nickel-catalyzed low temperature methanol synthesis

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0304-5102(92)80116-X

In situ IR monitoring of the Ni(CO)₄/MeONA catalytic system for low temperature methanol synthesis has revealed the involvement of the [HNi(CO)₃]^- species in the catalysis. Two new methods for the synthesis of the anion were discovered and the model reactivity of [HNi(CO)₃] ^- was also investigated. The overall results led us to suggest a catalytic cycle in which methanol is carbonylated to methyl formate with MeONa as the catalyst, while [HNi(CO)₃]^- catalyzes the hydrogenolysis of methyl formate to methanol.