1840.  ------. [KEMP, L. C.] (The Texas Co.). Preparation of Heavy Hydrocarbons of Hydrogen Isotopes. United States Patent 2,577,017, Dec. 4, 1951; appl. filed Nov. 23, 1948, Serial No. 61,592; 9 claims (Cl. 260-449.6).

Process refers specifically to the synthesis of deuterocarbons from synthesis gas comprising D₂ and CO to the exclusion of H having an atomic weight of 1. A stream of CO prepared by reacting C with CO₂ at elevated temperature is reacted with the vapor of heavy water under water gas shift reaction conditions to convert the reactants into a mixture of CO₂ and D₂. The CO₂ is separated, and the resulting D₂ and residual CO in the ratio 2 : 1 are contacted with a synthesis catalyst comprising either Co or Ru under reaction conditions to form the maximum quantities of the desired products. The resulting products withdrawn from contact with the catalyst include the desired fractions of deuterocarbons together with undesired deuterocarbon fractions and the byproduct heavy water (D₂O). The desired product fractions are recovered by any suitable means of separation, and the residual undesired fractions are reformed in the presence of the byproduct heavy water vapor to form additional synthesis gas consisting of D₂ and CO.