Abstract: A process for producing ethanol from the reaction of methanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide catalyzed by a phosphine-iodine promoted cobalt-ruthenium catalyst, the improvement of maintaining the phosphine to halide ratio and concentration within a critical range, and whereby the concentration of phosphine compound in the reaction mixture is increased without causing an undesirable decrease in the activity of the catalyst; thereby obtaining a highly stable and active catalyst providing an increased selectivity to ethanol formation . This is accomplished under such conditions that the catalyst stability is maintained and the ratio of phosphine to halide is kept at a relatively constant value during the reaction.

Abstract: A process for producing ethanol from the reaction of methanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide catalyzed by a phosphine-iodine promoted cobalt-ruthenium catalyst, the improvement of maintaining the phosphine to halide ratio and concentration within a critical range, and whereby the concentration of phosphine compound in the reaction mixture is increased without causing an undesirable decrease in the activity of the catalyst; thereby obtaining a highly stable and active catalyst providing an increased selectivity to ethanol formation. This is accomplished under such conditions that the catalyst stability is maintained and the ratio of phosphine to halide is kept at a relatively constant value during the reaction.

Abstract: A novel catalyst and process for the manufacture of polyhydric alcohols from synthesis gas. This novel catalyst is a rhodium carbonyl sulfur cluster compound. In particular, the anion cluster of the rhodium carbonyl sulfur compound is of the following empirical formula:[RH.sub.17 (S).sub.2 (CO).sub.32 ].sup.