2891.     ROLLEFSON, G. K., AND GARRISON, W.  Iodine-Sensitized Decomposition of Methyl Alcohol.  Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., vol. 62, 1940, pp. 588-590; Chem. Abs., vol. 34, 1940, p. 2784.

        I-sensitized decomposition of MeOH has been studied at 325°.  The net over-all reaction may be represented by the equation 3MeOH=2CH₄+CO+2H₂O.  This is the result of 2 parallel reactions, one an oxidation of the alcohol by I to CO, the other a reduction by HI to CH₄.  These reactions are represented by equations MeOH+2I=CO+4 HI and MeOH+2HI=CH₄+I₂+H₂O.  Tables are given for the distribution of I and for the amounts of CH₄ and CO present during the reaction.