2129.     LOEB, W.  [Assimilation of Carbon Dioxide.]  Ztschr. Elektrochem., vol. 11, 1905, pp. 745-752; Jour. Chem. Soc., vol. 90, II, 1906, p. 43.

        In the silent electric discharge, moist CO₂ yields CO and O₂ first, HCOOH and H₂O₂ are formed slowly as secondary products.  In moist CO, the main reactions are CO+H₂=CH₂O and CO+H₂O=CO₂+H₂.  HCOOH also is formed.  A moist mixture of CO₂ and H₂ gives CH₂O and HCOOH; CO and H₂ give the same products with CH₂O present in greater quantities, as also CO₂.  Moist CH₂O vapor decomposes mainly into CO and H₂ with small quantities of CH₄; HCOOH and H₂O vapor behave similarly.  From CH₄ and CO₂, it is almost certain that alcohol can be synthesized, and alcohol is very probably one of the intermediate products of the natural synthesis.