ACTIVE-CENTERS FOR SYNTHESIS GAS REACTIONS

Presently available data allow us to make suggestions with regard to the active centres for various reactions of syngas. It seems that for methanol and higher alcohol synthesis an active centre always requires the presence of a promoter within close proximity. In contrast to this, formation of hydrocarbons and aldehydes can, in principle, take place without any promoter. Some aspects of the mechanism of the reactions and of the promoter function are briefly discussed, in so far as this is necessary for the discussion of the active centres.