2010.     KUMMER, J. T., PODGURSKI, H. H., SPENCER, W. B., AND EMMETT, P. H.  Mechanism Studies of the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis.  Addition of Radioactive Alcohol.  Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 73, 1951, pp. 564-569; Chem. Abs., vol. 45, 1951, p. 4907.

        To help elucidate the mechanism of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, methyl-labeled and methylene-labeled radioactive EtOH were added to a 1:1=CO:H₂ synthesis gas passed at 1 atm. pressure over an Fe catalyst at about 230°.  Measurement of the radioactivity of the hydrocarbon products shows negligibly small activity for all CH₄ formed and an approximately constant activity of 2,150±100 counts per minute per cc. S.T.P. for the C₅-C₁₀ hydrocarbons.  The C₂, C₃, and C₄ hydrocarbons have activities of about 1,825, 1,850, and 2,000 counts per minute per cc.  Degradation experiments on the C₃ hydrocarbons show that about 90% of the added C atoms are attached to the a-C atom of the alcohol adsorption complex, whereas 10% are attached to the β-C.  These results suggest that either EtOH or some surface complex formed by the adsorption of EtOH behaves like an intermediate in hydrocarbon synthesis over Fe Fischer-Tropsch catalysts and that at least the 1^st of the added C atoms attaches itself principally to the a-C atom of the surface complex.

        KUNG, K. M.  See abs. 1508.

        KURAKU, H.  See abs. 1959a.