Synthesis of two-carbon compounds by homogeneous Fischer–Tropsch type reactions

Abstract

Carbon monoxide and hydrogen at pressures below 300 atm and temperatures below 200 °C in chelating ethers (glymes) or 2-methoxyethanol containing cobalt and other metal carbonyls react to give ethanol and other oxygenated products; on the basis of reduction using D₂ and study of cobalt complexes, reaction mechanisms are proposed.