2712.     ---------------.  [PLOTNIKOV, V. A., AND IVANOV, K. N.]  [Methanol Catalyzers.]  Jour. Gen. Chem. (U.S.S.R.), vol. 1, 1931, pp. 826-844; Chem. Zentralb., 1932, II, p. 1393; Chem. Abs., vol. 26, 1932, p. 3774.

        Synthesis of MeOH from CO and H₂ was studied at pressures up to 162 atm., with high speed of reaction gases through the apparatus and temperatures up to 320°, in the presence of various catalysts.  Cu is a weak catalyst for MeOH; ZnO possesses good activity, but at high speed of gas flow mostly hydrocarbons are formed in its presence; Cr₂O₃ promotes the reaction:  2CO+2H₂=CH₄+CO₂.  The addition of ZnO to Cu produces no appreciable effect, while the addition of Cr₂O₃ to Cu has a decided favorable effect on the catalysis of MeOH.  Like ZnO, Cr₂O₃ becomes ineffective at high speed of reacting gases, and instead of MeOH, hydrocarbons are produced.  The combination of Cu, ZnO, and Cr₂O₃ forms an active MeOH catalyst.