Abstract：In order to develop an environmentally friendly manufacture process of methyl glycolate (MG), the hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate (DMO) to MG was studied through thermodynamic analysis and experiments. Effects of molar ration of H2 to DMO, reaction temperature, pressure and the DMO space velocity on conversion of DMO and selectivity of MG were investigated over the Cu/SiO2 catalysts in a packed stainless steel reactor with inner diameter 20 mm. The results showed that the DMO conversion was enhanced and the MG selectivity was decreased by the increase of reaction temperature, pressure and the decrease of DMO space velocity. The optimum reaction conditions were molar ratio of H2 to DMO 40—60, reaction pressure 2—2.5 MPa, reaction temperature 453—473 K and DMO space velocity 0.3—0.7 mg/(g·h). Under these conditions the conversation of DMO is up to 85%, yield of MG is up to 80%.
