TITLE: Probe molecule studies: Active species in alcohol synthesis. First quarterly report, September 1990-December 1990.

AUTHOR: D. G. Blackmond;   I. Wender.

INST.  AUTHOR: Pittsburgh Univ., PA. Dept. of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  Jan 91,  18p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE91008533INW

ABSTRACT:

The goal of this research is to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms of oxygenate formation from syngas over supported catalyst by in-situ addition of probe molecules. Alternation of the reaction pathways by probe molecule addition will be observed and analyzed to reveal mechanistic information. A reaction and analysis system capable of carrying out the experiments for the proposed research has been set up and will be used to run CO/H(sub 2) reactions in both the presence and the absence of each probe molecule under conditions which favor the formation of oxygenated products. Rh and/or Co, which are known to produce oxygenates from syngas, with SiO(sub 2) as support will be prepared and characterized for this study. Analysis and studies of our experimental results are expected to provide us enough information to propose mechanistic hypothesis of the oxygenates formation from CO/H(sub 2) and probably suggest novel ideas for design of highly reactive/selective catalysts and even synthesis processes.

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/90305-T1

CONTRACT  NUMBER: FG22-90PC90305