1-Alkylbenzimidazoles as unique promoters for a homogeneous ruthenium catalyst for direct ethylene glycol formation from synthesis gas

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0022-328X(00)99417-8

1-Alkylbenzimidazoles such as 1-methylbenzimidazole and 1,5,6-trimethylbenzimidazole have been found to be excellent promoters for direct ethylene glycol formation from hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a homogeneous ruthenium catalyst.High pressure IR analyses revealed that three Ru species, ^- (I), Ru(CO)5 (II) and Ru(CO)4(1-alkylbenzimidazole) (III) had formed.An analysis of the relationship between activity and identity of Ru species showed that ruthenium species III plays an important role in ethylene glycol formation, and that the high coordination ability of benzimidazoles is essential to the promoting effect on ethylene glycol formation.