From synthesis gas production to methanol synthesis and potential upgrade to gasoline range hydrocarbons: A review

•Shale gas exploration and valorization is now a hot industrial issue.•Sequential syngas and methanol production is a key option.•Research on methanol upgrading to gasoline (MTG) is thus critical.•Catalysts design, associated activities and mechanisms reviewed.•Zeolites and SAPOs are prime industrial candidates for the MTG.

Methanol to gasoline (MTG) process is among the methanol to hydrocarbon (MTH) technologies with industrial interest. The key sequential routes involved syngas (H2, CO) production, methanol synthesis and the subsequent upgrade to gasoline range paraffins via the MTG process. The paper reviewed recent literature on prospective catalysts for the MTG technology. Issues related to the role of catalyst-topology, acidity properties, reaction parameters and their effects on catalytic activity, selectivity and catalyst lifetime have been critically covered. The review also captured background details on the updates related to the syngas production and subsequent upgrade to methanol prior to the MTG reaction.