Abstract: Embodiments include catalyst compositions and methods of synthesizing catalyst compositions for the selective oxidation of methanol to dimethoxymethane, as well as methods of selective oxidation of methanol to dimethoxymethane using catalyst compositions. The catalyst composition can comprise vanadium oxide and a mixed metal oxide, wherein the vanadium oxide is supported on the mixed metal oxide and wherein the mixed metal oxide includes a redox component and an acid component. The method of selective oxidation of methanol to dimethoxymethane can comprise at least the following step: contacting methanol with a catalyst composition in the presence of an oxidizing agent to produce dimethoxymethane.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions comprising catalytic nanoparticles including copper distributed, dispersed on, or mixed with a promoter including magnesium oxide. Pre-catalyst compositions comprising nanoparticles including copper oxides or copper hydroxide distributed, dispersed on, or mixed with a promoter including magnesium oxide. The catalysts are used in a method of producing at least methyl formate and hydrogen by non-oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol, optionally comprising reducing a pre-catalyst in hydrogen at a select temperature to obtain a catalyst comprising catalytic nanoparticles including copper distributed, dispersed on, or mixed with a promoter including magnesium oxide, flowing a fluid composition containing at least methanol over the catalyst to produce methyl formate and hydrogen, and recovering one or more of the methyl formate and hydrogen. A method of preparing catalyst compositions is disclosed.