3818. ----- [VESTERDAL, H. G]. (Standard Oil Development Co.). Hydrocarbon Synthesis. United States Patent 2,471,129, May 24, 1949; appl. filed Sept. 7, 1946, Serial No. 695,564; 5 claims (Cl. 260-449.6). Chem. Abs., vol. 44, 1950, p. 317.

A superior promoter for Fe catalyst is obtained by combining fluoboric acid with such a metal as K and Na to form metal fluoborates. NaBF₄ may be used, but KBF₄ is preferred. The promoter may be added to pure Fe oxide or hydroxide or to Fe ores, such as magnetite, hematite, limonite, and others, in amounts 0.2-10.0% based on the Fe present. Example: 9.11 gm. KBF₄ were dissolved in 225 cc. hot distilled H₂O. The solution was poured onto 491 gm. powdered Fe oxide while mixing to form a paste. The paste was dried at 220° F., then pilled in the presence of 2% hydrogenated vegetable oil, such as cotton, corn, or peanut oil, which was used as a lubricant for the pilling operation. The vegetable oil was burned from the pills by heating in air at 850° F. for 3 hr. The catalyst was reduced by heating for 4 hr. at 900° F. with H₂ at atmospheric pressure, 1,000 vol. H₂ per vol. catalyst per hr. 3 United States patents cited.