PURPOSE: To stably obtain ethanol useful as a raw material for various chemicals, cosmetics, etc., in high selectivity without causing the deterioration in reactional results with time or the elution of a catalyst by bringing ethylene into contact with water in the presence of a specific catalyst.
CONSTITUTION: (B) Ethylene is brought into contact with (C) water in the presence of (A) an oxide containing hydrating water of a metal which is zirconium, titanium, tin, iron or aluminum {e.g. a compound of the formula, MeOx.nH2O [Me is Zr, Ti, Sn, Fe or Al; (x) is the valence of Me; 0<(n)≤8]} [e.g. at 0.05-20 molar ratio (B/C) of the components (B) to (C) used, 150-400°C temperature under atmospheric pressure to 300kg/cm2 pressure for 0.5-200sec).
MATSUHASHI HIROMI
USHIKUBO TAKASHI
