Methanol Chlorination Reaction Details

[asamaid1]

HI,

I want to know the details of the following reaction

400 C
CH3OH + HCl -------Aluminium Oxide---> CH3Cl + H2O


could anyone tell me more about this reaction please. Thabks.

 

[themonk]

It has high temperature (400°C) and Al₂O₃ is a dehydration agent.

How does temperature affect the reaction?
Why is Aluminium Oxide used? What does it do?