CO BONDING AND HYDROGENATION ACTIVITY OF PROMOTED NOBLE-METAL CATALYSTS DURING RESTRUCTURING IN HIGH-PRESSURE CO HYDROGENATION - FEIR SIO2/

Bimetallic FeIr/SiO2 catalysts that are active for methanol production from synthesis gas (CO + H-2) bind CO less strongly, and exhibit high er activity for the hydrogenation of ethylene in the presence of CO, t han catalysts that produce mainly methane. It is argued that promotion of the noble metal serves to weaken the adsorption of CO, thereby low ering its tendency to dissociate, and, most importantly, enhancing the surface coverage of hydrogen. Both factors are favorable for methanol formation.