Methods, Systems, and Catalysts for the Direct Conversion of Syngas to High-Octane Hydrocarbons

The present disclosure relates to a method that includes converting a gas stream that contains hydrogen (H.sub.2) and carbon monoxide (CO) to a second mixture that contains a hydrocarbon, for example, a hydrocarbon having between 3 and 15 carbon atoms, where the converting is performed using a first catalyst configured to convert H.sub.2 and CO to methanol, a second catalyst configured to convert methanol to dimethyl ether (DME), and a third catalyst configured to convert DME to the hydrocarbon.