(1) hydration of ethene and(2) ferm

(1) hydration of ethene and(2) fermentation of sugars. Hydration of ethene is a provenindustrial process, but it depends on petroleum-derived etheneand, thus, does not reduce dependence on imported oil. Fermentation can interfere with food supplies because sugars comefrom biomass feedstocks, such as corn/maize, sugar cane, andsugar beets. For instance, in the US, corn-based ethanol hascaused a sudden rise in the price of corn when the demand forcorn exceeded its supply.11 Hence, there is a drive to explore newmethods that can supplement these resources to meet theincreasing fuel demand in the future.One method is the conversion of carbon-based feedstocks,such as biomass, coal, or natural gas, to syngas, which can then beconverted catalytically to ethanol and higher alcohols. Thermochemical conversion of biomass to ethanol and higher alcoholsseems to be a promising renewable alternative source of energybecause of its environmental friendliness and cost due to easilyaccessible raw materials. One of the main merits of this processover fermentation is that it does not require any specific type ofbiomass feedstock. For example, nonfood biomass sources thatrequire little in the way of soil quality and agricultural input canbe used.12 Another advantage is that syngas production does notrequire separation of biomass components, such as cellulosicmaterial and lignin.