This invention relates to a process for producing ethanol comprises supplying a feed comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen and dimethyl ether to a reaction zone operated under conditions such that (i) part of the carbon monoxide in the feed reacts with part of the hydrogen in the feed to produce methanol; (ii) part of the carbon monoxide in the feed reacts with at least part of the dimethyl ether in the feed to produce methyl acetate; and (iii) part of the hydrogen in the feed reacts with at least part of the methyl acetate produced in (ii) to produce an effluent comprising methanol and ethanol. At least part of the ethanol is recovered from the effluent and at least part of the methanol is dehydrated to produce dimethyl ether, which is recycled to the reaction zone.

There is provided a catalyst for the conversion of syngas to light paraffins. The catalyst includes a first catalytic component comprising carbon and/or at least one oxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, and aluminum, and a second catalytic component comprising at least one zeolite selected from the group consisting of ferrierite, mordenite, theta-1, ZSM-5, H-beta, H-Y and ZSM 23. The first catalytic component and the second catalytic component are present in a weight ratio of from 90:10 to 50:50 respectively.