2399.     ---------------.  [NATTA, G., AND STRADA, M.]  [Synthesis of Aliphatic Alcohols From Mixtures of Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen.]  Giorn. chim. ind. applicata, vol. 13, 1931, pp. 317-325; Chem. Zentralb., 1931, II, p. 1958; Chem. Abs., vol. 26, 1932, p. 693.

        Experiments carried out on a semi-industrial scale show that in the presence of catalysts consisting of compounds of Zn and the alkali metals CO and H₂ will react under pressure to form aliphatic alcohols.  By excluding any metals of groups 4-8, many harmful secondary reactions, as formation of CH₄ are reduced greatly.  The hypothesis that MeOH is first formed and reacts with CO to form higher homologs is strengthened by the observation that in the presence of HCO₂K a higher yield of MeOH is obtained.  While CH₃CO₂K and EtCO₂K increase the yields of EtOH and PrOH, respectively.