A new reaction route of methanol synthesis at low temperature from CO2-containing syngas with Cu/ZnO catalyst and the aid of alcohols has been developed in a batch and a flow-type semi-batch reactors. The use of alcohols as catalytic solvents realized methanol synthesis at 443 K with formate as an intermediate. The activity of methanol synthesis depends on types and structures of alcohols. Among all alcohols, 2-alcohol exhibited the highest activity. With the aid of 2-butanol, the one-pass 47.0% conversion and 98.9% selectivity were achieved at a mild condition, 443 K and 50 bar. The new reaction route of methanol synthesis is a practical method for near future technology. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.