2456. NEWTON, R. H., AND DODGE, B. F. Equilibrium Among Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen, Formaldehyde, and Methanol. I. The Reactions CO+H2=HCHO and H2+HCHO=CH3OH. Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 55, 1933, p. 4747-4759; Chem. Abs., vol. 28, 1934, p. 955.

2456. NEWTON, R. H., AND DODGE, B. F. Equilibrium Among Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen, Formaldehyde, and Methanol. I. The Reactions CO+H₂=HCHO and H₂+HCHO=CH₃OH. Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 55, 1933, p. 4747-4759; Chem. Abs., vol. 28, 1934, p. 955.

Trace of CH₂O is synthesized from CO and H₂ over a Cu-Zn catalyst at 225°-250° and 3 atm.; the equilibrium approached from both sides give log K_p=(374/T)-5,431 approximately CH₂O is readily hydrogenated at 120°-200° and 1 atm. over various Cu-alloy and other catalysts, but Os, Pt and pure Zn are inactive: log K_p=(4,600/T)-6,470 approximately. A change in the composition or structure of the catalyst has a marked effect on the nature and amount of side reaction. Ni catalysts promoting decomposition of CH₂O, while some Cu catalysts yield 53-72% HCO₂Me. Conclusion: Direct thermal synthesis of CH₂O is not feasible; its production from MeOH requires a temperature of 400°.