A short overview over state‐of‐the‐art synthesis routes to higher alcohols from syngas is given. The literature shows that iron‐based catalysts offer the potential for higher alcohol production but cannot fully compete with catalyst systems based on molybdenum and cobalt so far. However, the results presented in this short communication show that by proper choice of reaction conditions and promotion of the catalysts a promising selectivity to higher alcohols and other oxygenates can also be reached for low‐priced iron‐based catalysts.

A Ru-based half sandwich complex used in amine and alcohol racemization reactions was found to be active in the splitting of secondary amines to primary amines using NH 3 . Conversions up to 80% along with very high selectivities were achieved. However, after about 80% conversion the catalyst lost activity.Similar to Shvo's catalyst, the complex might deactivate under the influence of ammonia. It was revealed that not NH 3 but mainly the primary amine is responsible for the deactivation.

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