2020.     KUSS, E.  [Decomposition Mechanism of Methanol.]  Angew. Chem., vol. 49, 1936, pp. 483-486; Chem. Abs., vol. 30, 1936, p. 6321.

        Experiments were carried out in a modified Stock apparatus, which is described.  the reaction products were:  CH₂O, Me₂O, H₂, H₂O, CH₄, CO, CO₂, and C.  The quantitative findings could be expressed by the following equations:

            (1)            MeOH=CH₂O+H₂                 }

                                                            }  Primary

            (2)            2MeOH=Me₂O+H₂O            }

            (3a)          Me₂O=CH₄+CH₂O

            (3b)          Me₂O=CO+C+3H₂

            (4)            CH₂O=CO+H₂

            (5)            2CO=CO₂+C

            (6)            the CH₄ equilibrium

                    With quartz glass, in opaque pieces, the decomposition did not begin below about 600°, and quartz tubes were therefore used as contact tubes in further experiments.  With Ag, as Ag wool (analysis: 0.0544% Cu, traces of Pb, and 0.0085% Fe), decomposition began at 400°, and the reactions (1), (2), (3a), (4), and (5) were involved.  Ag is a good catalyst as it accelerated the desired decomposition (1) very strongly.  With Pt, as a fine screen, decomposition began at 500°, and the reactions (1), (2), (3a), (3b), (4), and (6) were involved.  Pt differed from Ag essentially in accelerating decomposition (4), besides (1), and it is not suitable as contact or material of construction.  With Al gravel, surface oxidized, decomposition began below 300°, and the reactions (2), (3a), (3b), and (4) were involved.  The decomposition (2) was accelerated almost exclusively, and Al is not suited for use, but it is a good catalyst for the preparation of Me₂O from MeOH, and possibly for the synthesis of Me₂O from CO and H₂.  With Cu, as shavings, decomposition began at 450°, and the reactions (1), (2), (3a), (4), and (5) were involved.  Cu did not accelerate decomposition (1) selectively, and structural parts in contact with CH₂O formation cannot be made of Cu, but others operating below 400° can be made of Cu.  With Fe, as wrought Fe shavings, decomposition began at about 550°, and the reactions (1), (2), (3a), (3b), and (4) were involved.  Fe in itself is a good catalyst, accelerating decomposing (1) very strongly, but considerable acceleration of side reactions results in the covering of the Fe with C, and the material is not suitable for construction of an apparatus.  With burned lime, decomposition began at about 450° and the reactions (1), (3b), (4), and (5) were involved, and all strongly accelerated.  With compressed C, decomposition began at about 450°, and reactions (1) to (5) were all strongly accelerated, making C a very unsuitable material.  Experimental results and 5 refs. are given.

        ----------.  See abs. 2296, 2297.