The Cu-based catalysts prepared via adsorption phase reaction technique (APRT) were characterized using XRD

HRTEM and H2-TPR. The results indicated the copper species of catalysts were well-dispersed on the surface of the supports with the size varied from 5—10 nm. In the catalytic methanol synthesis from syngas in ethanol solvent

the prepared catalysts performed a much higher activity than the commercial catalysts did for the formation of intermediate

ethyl formate. The remarkable difference between APRT catalyst and other Cu-based catalyst (including the commercial catalyst) on two reactions of methanol synthesis manifests that the APRT catalyst has a different structure as well as active sites for the formation and hydrogenolysis of ethyl formate.