ROLE OF CHEMISORPTION IN FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS

The relation between the activity in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and chemisorption of reaction components and intermediates is being discussed. It is shown that CO adsorption plays a key role in these reactions. Metals which do not dissociate CO easily are almost inactive in Fischer-Tropsch reactions. Metals which dissociate CO easily but form too stable oxides (and carbides) are also inactive. The just-mentioned conditions locate in the periodic table the activity for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons in the group of metals: Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, and Rh. Analysis of the available experimental information shows that carbon formed by CO dissociation is, after partial hydrogenation, a chain growth initiating and propagating species. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.