3210.     SMITH, D. F., AND HAWK, C. O.  Catalytic Decomposition of Methanol.  Jour. Phys. Chem., vol. 32, 1928, pp. 415-424; Chem. Abs., vol. 22, 1928, p. 1520.

        Rate of decomposition of CH₃OH by 36 different metallic and oxide catalysts, at atmospheric pressure was measured, mainly at 300°, by the dynamic method.  The methods of preparation and the composition of the various catalysts are given.  ZnO, made by igniting ZnCO₃, mixtures of ZnO and Cr₂O₃ in the atomic proportions 4 Zn:1 Cr, mixtures of ZnO and UO₂, and perhaps also mixtures of ZnO and V₂O₃ and of CdO and Cr₂O₃, would be considered very good catalysts for the decomposition of CH₃OH into CO and H₂.  These substances also should be good catalysts for the formation of CH₃OH from water gas.  The activity of pure ZnO and also of ZnO-Cr₂O₃ catalysts is to a considerable degree dependent on the heat and other treatment to which they are subjected.  The specific catalytic effect of pure Cr₂O₃ is absent in the ZnO-Cr₂O₃ catalysts.  X-ray powder photographs indicated that in these catalysts the Cr₂O₃ does not exist in the ordinary form but is either amorphous or has combined with ZnO.  Small amounts of CO₂ were present as a byproduct of the decomposition in virtually all cases.