2092.     LELCHUK, S. L., BALANDIN, A. A., AND VASKEVICH, D. N.  [Skeleton Catalysts and Their Application in Organic Chemistry.]  Uspekhi Khim., vol. 14, No. 3, 1945, p. 185-212; U.O.P. Co. Survey Foreign Petroleum Literature Index, Apr. 26-May 3, 1946, 17 pp.

        Detailed study of alloyed and especially the so-called skeleton catalysts is needed, which may indicate new conditions for carrying out known reactions and help in developing catalysts for reactions that have not been effected.  In this connection, the literature on the subject is reviewed, quoting 187 refs.  The characteristics of these catalysts, methods suitable for their preparation, the connection between their structure and their catalytic activity, and the field of their applicability are discussed.  They have been used successfully in hydrogenation of several types, dehydrogenation, H2 disproportionation, isomerization, cyclization, dehydration, condensation, and oxidation.  In the interaction of CO and H2, formation of CH4 must be prevented by maintaining conditions under which free CH2 radicals are formed, which further interact to form hydrocarbons.  Research on the methods of preparation by Fischer established that extensive leaching is favorable for the activity of these skeleton catalysts for the process in question and the most active catalysts contain Ni, Co, and Si.  Tsuneoka and Murata conclude that when a catalyst of this type retains 4% Si, not removable by alkali, a molecular compound is apparently formed, and the assumption is justified that the compound not affected by leaching in the synthin catalyst is CoSi.