2581. PARK, J. R., AND IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD. Synthetic Methanol and Formaldehyde. British Patent 344,796, Dec. 10, 1929. Chem. Abs., vol. 26, 1932, p. 156.

Fe compounds present in synthetic alcohols such as crude synthetic MeOH are removed by subjecting the crude material to prolonged treatment with alkali (suitably by flowing over NaOH into a steel tank, aerating, allowing to stand for several days and then distilling). CH₂O is made by passing MeOH vapor mixed with air over Ag gauze heated to redness (preliminary purification of the MeOH giving longer life to the catalyst).

See also United States Patent 1,833,331 (abs. 2580).