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.