CO hydrogenation using supported iron carbonyl complexes

Carbon monoxide hydrogenation using catalysts prepared via thermal decompos ition of [(eta(5)-C5H5)Fe(CO)(2)M(CO)(5)], M = Mn, Re supported on gamma-al umina is described and discussed. The thermal decomposition of the complex is characterised using FTIR spectroscopy and thermal analysis and involves the formation of ferrocene in addition to small metal particles supported o n gamma-alumina. CO hydrogenation studies indicate that the addition of Mn decreases the yield of C-1 products (methane and methanol) and increases ca talyst activity. In contrast, addition of Re enhances the hydrogenation act ivity of the catalyst and decreases the probability of chain propagation. C arbon monoxide hydrogenation over a series of catalysts prepared via the th ermal decomposition of [(eta(5)-C5H5)Fe(CO)(2)](2)-(mu-(CH2)(n)), n = 0, 3, 5 was also studied and the catalyst activity was observed to decrease with increasing n. The catalyst having n = 3 gave the lowest yield of C1 produc ts for these iron containing catalysts. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.