Further support for the two-mechanisms hypothesis of Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

The recently proposed hypothesis of two incompatible mechanisms of chain growth based on CH2- and CO-insertion is furthermore supported by a detailed interpretation of the 13CH2N2 co-feeding experiments of Maitlis and co-workers and of the selectivity of branched hydrocarbons.The carbon number distribution is discussed considering in particular the role of readsorption and incorporation of 1-alkenes and its subsequent chain growth.

The hypothesis of two incompatible mechanisms of chain growth finds strong support by detailed interpretation of CH2N2 co-feeding experiments and the selectivity of branched hydrocarbons. Deviations of the carbon number distribution from the strict superposition of two ASF distributions are interpreted by the subsequent chain growth of readsorbed 1-alkenes via the mechanism characterized by CH2-insertion.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (85 K)Download as PowerPoint slide