3461.     ---------------.  [TROPSCH, H., AND SCHELLENBERG, A.]  [Decomposition of Methanol by Iron, Tin, and Aluminum.]  Ges. Abhandl. Kenntnis Kohle, vol. 7, 1925, pp. 13-14; Chem. Zentralb., 1926, I, p. 3298; Chem. Abs., vol. 21, 1927, p. 3530.

        MeOH vapor was conducted over the metal heated and spread out with a combustion tube.  At 520°, C was deposited on the Fe, decomposition of the MeOH to a gas containing 4-7% CO₂, 20-25% CO, 55-60% H₂, and 3-12% CH₄ occurring.  The small quantity of condensate was neutral and contained HCHO.  With tinned Fe, the decomposition of MeOH followed the same course but was only slight.  With Al at 520°, the gas contained 5% CO₂, 23% CO, 60% H₂, and 4% CH₄, and, at 270°, it contained 2% CO₂, 5% CO, 52% H₂, and 30% CH₄.  In a receiver cooled with liquid air, a reaction product containing Al, probably AlMe₃ condensed.