2750.     ---------------.  [PRING, J. N., AND FAIRLIE, D. M.]  Synthesis of Hydrocarbons at High Temperatures.  Proc. Chem. Soc., vol. 27, 1911, p. 217; Jour. Chem. Soc., vol. 99, 1911, pp. 1796-1811; Chem. Abs., vol. 6, 1912, p. 629.

        When pure C in the form of a rod is electrically heated in an atmosphere of H2 at 1,200°.  CH4 and C2H4 are formed, the rate of formation of C2H4 being about 0.01 that of the CH4.  No C2H2 could be detected.  Measurements made of the rate at which C2H2 and C2H4 react with H2 to give CH4 show that enough time was not allowed in the above experiments for any large interaction of C2H4 and C2H2 with H2 to occur, so that the formation of the hydrocarbons must have been direct.  At 1,400° and at pressures 10-40 cm. CH4 and C2H2 are obtained, the ratio of their rate of formation being about 10:1.  At 1,650° CH4, C2H4, and C2H2 are obtained; and, as at higher temperatures, the quantity of C2H4 is about twice that of the C2H2.  Pd in contact with the C assists catalytically the formation of CH4 to the same degree as Pt, while Si has no appreciable effect.  AS the presence of a highly charged electric field makes no difference in the rate of formation of CH4 at 1,200°-1,600°, no complication is produced in the reaction by ionization from heated C.  The formation of C2H4, which has not before been observed at these temperatures, can be detected at 1,200° and 1,400°; it is comparable with the CH4 formed.