A method for producing methanol and dimethyl ether using the air as the
sole source of materials is disclosed. The invention relates to a method
for producing methanol by removing water from atmospheric air, obtaining
hydrogen from the removed water, obtaining carbon dioxide from
atmospheric air; and converting the carbon dioxide under conditions
sufficient to produce methanol. Thereafter, the methanol can be
dehydrated to produce dimethyl ether or further processed to produce
synthetic hydrocarbons, polymers, and products derived from them.