2748.     PRING, J. N.  Direct Union of Carbon and Hydrogen at High Temperatures.  Proc. Chem. Soc., vol. 26, 1910, p. 55; Jour. Chem. Soc., vol. 97, 1910, pp. 498-511; Chem. Abs., vol. 4, 1910, p. 2111.

        Continuation of previous work by Pring and Hutton (abs. 2752).  C and H₂ combine at all temperatures above 1,100°.  At 1,200° reaction is very slow without a catalyst and estimation of the exact equilibrium value of CH₄ is uncertain.  0.35% CH₄ was obtained after 22 hr. at 1,200°.  AT 1,500°, an equilibrium value of 0.17% CH₄ was obtained after 2 hr.  When the C contained a surface deposit of Pt 0.56% CH₄ was obtained at 1,200° and 0.30% at 1,500°.  Above 1,550°, the % of CH₄ rises with temperature.  C₂H₂ changes quickly into CH₄ and C₂H₄ above 1,500°, and the CH₄ formed is comparatively stable.  In the decomposition of C₂H₂ at 1,200°-1,400°, C₂H₄ forms and is found to persist.  This appears to preclude the possibility of CH₄ arising secondarily as not traces of C₂H₄ were found.  The presence of CO seems to have no effect in the synthesis or decomposition of CH₄ at any temperature employed.