The present disclosure relates to chemical synthesis. Various embodiments of the teachings thereof may include the synthesis of methanol, generated from hydrogen and a carbonaceous gas. For example, a method may include: compressing gaseous starting materials to an operating pressure of at least 200 bar; supplying the starting materials to a synthesis reactor; removing a product mixture from the synthesis reactor in a liquid state; withdrawing mechanical energy from the product mixture by reducing a pressure of the product mixture; and using the mechanical energy to compress the gaseous starting materials.