2074.     LE CLERC, G.  [Catalytic Activity of Cubic Ferric Oxide in Synthesis of Hydrocarbons by Hydrogenation of Carbon Monoxide at Atmospheric Pressure.]  Compt. rend., vol. 207, 1938, pp. 1099-1101; Chem. Abs., vol. 33, 1939, p. 1201.

        Under normal conditions the limiting solid solution of K ferrite (formed by mixing K2CO3 and Fe(OH)3), catalyzes the mixture CO+2H2, yielding 45 gm. per m.3 of hydrocarbons solid or liquid at 15°.  If the catalyst is prepared by adsorbing the K2CO3 by the Fe(OH)3 the yield is raised to 80 gm. per m.3.  The carbonates of Li, Na, Rb, or Cs give under similar circumstances the same yield and the same thermomagnetic curve.  The solid solutions of ferrite in cubic Fe2O3 further show, in addition to the Curie point at 575° (that of magnetite), one at 250°.  The conclusion that the active substance is the cubic Fe2O3 is confirmed by the alteration in yield if the cubic Fe2O3 is destroyed by heating above 500°.  Thus, the action of the alkaline addition is to stabilize the cubic Fe2O3; the optimum temperature for such a catalysis is that of the second Curie point (250).

        ----------.  See abs. 2080, 2081, 2276.