946.    ---------------.  [FISCHER, F.]  Synthesis of Petroleum.  Nat. Petrol. News, vol. 18, No. 47, 1926, pp. 49-51; Chem. Age, vol. 15, 1926, pp. 610-611; Chem. Abs., vol. 21, 1927, p. 2182.

      Progress of the hydrogenation of CO is discussed.  The hydrogenation of CO under high pressure with an excess of H₂ produces O₂-containing compounds only.  At pressures above 130 atm. and at temperature below 400°, MeOH only is formed when ZnO is used as a catalyst.  Petroleum hydrocarbons are produced at ordinary pressure and 200°-300° temperature with finely divided Co and Fe as the catalyst.  The process may be so conducted that in addition to higher hydrocarbons, the uncondensed gases have the proper ratio for further reaction after the removal of CO₂.  The product most simply produced is gasol, a mixture of C₂H₆, C₃H₈, and C₄H₁₀.  In order to produce gasoline it is necessary to achieve a nice balance in the catalyst because the polymerization tends to go on to the formation of solid paraffins, especially when strong bases are used.  A yield of 100 gm. of solid liquid and liquefiable hydrocarbons can be obtained from each m.³ of water gas which is led several times over the catalyst.  The theory of the process indicates that intermediate carbides are formed that react with H₂ and CO.