3211.     SMITH, D. F., AND HIRST, L. L.  Reactions That Occur on a Methanol Catalyst.  Ind. Eng. Chem., vol. 22, 1930, pp. 1037-1040; Chem. Abs., vol. 24, 1930, p. 5586.

        CO₂ and H₂ react on a ZnO-Cr₂O₃ catalyst at 304° to form MeOH, CO, and H₂O.  CO and H₂O also react to give CO₂ and H₂, and equilibrium may be closely approached in the water gas reaction.  It was found impossible to determine which of the reactions comes nearest equilibrium when this catalyst acts on H₂CO₂-H₂O mixtures.  It is suggested that the formation of MeOH from CO and H₂ may not be direct, especially as a steady state is approached.