1208. GOEPFERT, O. [Deterioration of Fischer-Synthesis Catalysts and Participation of Methane in This Synthesis.] Compt. rend., vol. 224, 1947, pp. 340-341; Chem. Abs., vol. 41, 1947, p. 3739.

1208. GOEPFERT, O. [Deterioration of Fischer-Synthesis Catalysts and Participation of Methane in This Synthesis.] Compt. Rend., vol. 224, 1947, pp. 340-341; Chem. Abs., vol. 41, 1947, p. 3739.

Experimentally it is observed that mixtures of C₂H₆ and H₂ react on a Ni-kieselguhr catalyst at 150°-160° C. to form CH₄. The reaction does not proceed simply according to the equation: (1) C₂H₆+H₂→2 CH₄. Instead, more C₂H₆ than H₂ is used. The results can be explained by means of an additional reaction: (2) 2 C₂H₆→3 CH₄+C taking place simultaneously with (1). It is claimed that reaction (2) indicates the capacity of the catalyst to dissociate CH₄ according to the mechanism: (3) CH₄ (ads)=CH₃(ads)+ H(ads)=CH₂(ads)+2 H(ads)=CH(ads)+3 H(ads)=C(ads)+4 H(ads). These results indicate merely that carbides (possibly bulk carbides) can be formed by the action of C₂H₆ on Ni.