2716.     PLOTNIKOV, V. A., IVANOV, K. N., AND POSPEKHOV, D. A.  [Complex Catalysts for the Synthesis of Methanol.]  Jour. Chem. Ind., (U.S.S.R.), vol. 8, 1931, pp. 472-478; Chem. Abs., vol. 25, 1931, p. 5139.

        Study of the catalytic synthesis of MeOH from CO and H₂ was continued.  The possibilities of further activation of the complex catalyst Cu-ZnO₂-Cr₂O₃, the catalytic action of the individual components, and their substitution were investigated.  The procedure was the same as that in the former experiments; the reaction was carried on again under the conditions of falling pressure, which begins with the inception of the reaction at a certain temperature.  Conclusions.—Cu alone is a poor catalyst; Cr₂O₃ alone is more energetic than Cu, effecting the reaction at 265°, the main reaction proceeding thus:  2CO+2H₂=CH₄+CO₂.  Addition of ZnO to Cu somewhat increases the activity and so does the addition of Cr₂O₃, but the temperature of reaction is reduced to 265°-285°, with formation of a considerable amount of MeOH.  Addition of both ZnO and Cr4₂O₃ doubles the activity and the conversion of CO into MeOH, as compared with Cu containing only either ZnO or Cr₂O₃.  The effect of the combination of ZnO and Cr₂O₃ with Cud does not constitute a simple sum of their influences as individual components.  The complex catalyst Cu-ZnO-Cr₂O₃ is considered as a system in which the individual influences of the components are merged to create a specific MeOH catalyst.  Addition of Na₂CO₃, Ag, and MgO led to impairment of the activity of Cu-ZnO-Cr₂O₃ and the reduction products.