2386.     NATTA, G., AND CASAZZA, E.  [Activity of Catalysts Proposed for the Synthesis of Methanol and Their Chemical and Crystalline Structure.  II.]  Giorn. chim. ind. applicata., vol. 13, 1931, pp. 205-212; Chem. Abs., vol. 26, 1932, p. 80.

        Coefficients of absorption of CO₂, CO, and H₂ by substances, which have been used as catalysts in the production of MeOH have been studied.  Pure ZnO (1), ZnO derived from smithsonites from various sources (2), reduced ZnCrO₄ (3), Cr₂O₃ (4), 50 ZnO-1Co (5), 5ZnO-1Cu (6), 4 ZnO-1Al₂O₃ (7), and 5ZnO-1MgO (8) were all studied.  Those catalysts that absorb high amounts of H₂ (4, 5, 6) are not efficient as they catalyze side reactions involving hydrogenation, while those showing high CO₂ and CO absorption with low H₂ absorption, that is, (2, 7), are most effective.  The absorption increases with increasing pressure up to 35-40 atm.  Above this the absorption curve becomes virtually horizontal, increasing pressure having practically no effect.