3067.     SCHENCK, R., KURZEN, F., AND WESSELKOCK, H.  [Activation of Metals by Foreign Substances.  II.]  Ztschr. anorg. Chem., vol. 206, 1932, pp. 273-288; Chem. Abs., vol. 26, 1932, p. 4549.

        Fe and W in MgO make it difficult to form carbide by action of CH₄, if in the carbides of these metals 1 C atom is attached to several metallic atoms, as in Fe₃C or W₅C₂.  Carbide formation is not hindered by the addition of inert oxides if the carbide consists of an equal number of metal and C atoms, as WC.  These experiments show that linkage of metal atoms with a C atom can only occur with a favorable spatial distribution of the metal atoms.