1281. ------. [I. G. FARBENINDUSTRIE A. G.] Hydrocarbons and Oxygenated Compounds From Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen. British Patent 469,959, Aug. 5, 1937. Chem. Abs., vol. 32, 1938, p. 1276.

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Patent Abstracts

Production of hydrocarbons and, if desired, derivatives containing O, such as MeOH or other alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, or carboxylic acids, from CO and H₂ is conducted with the addition of small amounts of volatile metal compounds that can be decomposed at up to 500º, either continuously or intermittently and during or after discontinuation of the conversion. The only other catalysts present may be etched metal apparatus surfaces, as described in British Patent 458,035 (abs. 1176), in which case the volatile metal compounds serve to reactivate the etched surfaces. The reaction is conducted at increased pressures, especially >20 atm., and at 150º-500º. In an example, a mixture of CO 40% and H₂ 60% is passed at 100 atm. and 330º-400º past the outside of a spiral Fe tube that has been previously etched with an aqueous solution of Mg(NO₃)₂, KNO₃, uranyl nitrate, and glacial AeOH, followed by treatment with H₂; the products are hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, and acids, and the catalytic surface is reactivated by the repeated addition of small quantities; for example, 25-70 cc. of Fe carbonyl at intervals of several days; superheated steam is led through the interior of the pipe.