FORMATION OF FORMALDEHYDE AND METHANOL FROM THE REACTIONS OF H-ATOMS WITH SOLID CO AT 10-20-K

The reaction of H atoms with solid CO molecules was studied. The solid CO film deposited on the cold head of the cryocooler was reacted with H atoms by spraying the plasma-activated hydrogen gas over the surface of the sample. After the reaction, temperature-programmed mass spectra of the sample were measured. The formation of formaldehyde and methanol has been confirmed, i.e. the occurrence of consecutive H atom addition reactions, CO --> HCO --> HCHO --> HCHOH --> CH3OH. The rather low yield of the reaction products suggests either the small rate constants of the H atom addition reactions to CO and/or the occurrence of the hydrogen abstraction reaction H + HCO --> H-2 + CO.