TITLE: Mechanistic Studies of Carbon Monoxide Reduction. Progress Report, August 1, 1980-August 1, 1981.

AUTHOR: G. L. Geoffroy.

INST.  AUTHOR: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  20 Jul 81,  42p.

ABSTRACT:

The long-range objective of this research program is to contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms by which carbon monoxide is reduced by hydrogen on the surface of metal particles and in homogeneous solutions. There is a need for good mechanistic studies directed toward developing an understanding of the mechanisms of the various synthesis gas reactions which would aid in the development of better catalysts. In this proposed research, such mechanistic studies are conducted from two approaches: the mechanism of the heterogeneous, metal particle catalyzed reduction of carbon monoxide will be investigated by using transition metal cluster complexes to model the metal surfaces; the mechanism of synthesis gas chemistry will be carried out in homogeneous solution, focusing on a few key mechanistic steps, and some exploratory work is proposed concerning the methanol homologation reaction. Progress reports are presented for the following areas of investigation: stepwise reduction of CO to CH sub 4 on a triosmium cluster face; conversion of Os sub 3 (CO) sub 11 ( mu -CH sub 2 ) into H sub 2 Os sub 3 (CO)g(CCO) - a model for chain growth on metal surface; structures of tetranuclear Fe-Ru clusters as models for CO activation; reactions directed toward the preparation of acyl- and alkyl-substituted clusters; and fragmentation of tetranuclear mixed-metal clusters by reaction with CO. (ERA citation 06:033080)

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/ER/10345-2

CONTRACT  NUMBER: AS02-79ER10345