1102.    FENSKE, M. R., AND FROLICH, P. K.  Catalysts for the Formation of Alcohols From Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen.  V.  Decomposition and Synthesis of Methanol With a Zinc-Copper-Chromium Oxide Catalyst.  Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 21, 1929, pp. 1052-1055; British Chem. Abs., 1930, B, p. 49; Chem. Abs., vol. 24, 1930, p. 334.

       Catalyst composed of the oxides of Cu, Zn, and Cr in the molal ratio of 49:43:8 has considerably higher activity for both the decomposition and the synthesis of MeOH than any of the binary systems Cu-Zn and Cr-Zn discussed in previous papers.  With a space velocity of 25 cc. of gaseous MeOH per hr. per cc. of catalyst the catalyst showed marked activity even at 220° while at 285°, 90% of the MeOH was decomposed.  At temperatures above 250° the decomposition was almost entirely into CO (33%) and H₂ (67%).  Activity of the catalyst decreases gradually, but it can be restored by oxidation and subsequent reduction with MeOH vapor.  The reduction of the catalyst with MeOH vapor is apparently preceded by decomposition of the MeOH into CO and H₂, and the reduction of the catalyst is due to the CO.  In the synthesis of MeOH from CO and H₂ under high pressures, the conversions are high for this catalyst, and it is active at low temperatures.