Catalytic Process for Conversion of Lower Alcohols to Branched Higher Alcohols

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Branched higher alcohols are high-value alcohols widely used in surfactants and lubricants.  WMB has developed novel supported transition metal Guerbet catalysts and a continuous process for highly efficient conversion of lower alcohols to branched higher alcohols. As an example, the newly developed catalysts and process can efficiently convert bio-ethanol with a low energy density to n-butanol with high energy density, and ethanol together with methanol to isobutanol.