REACTIVITY OF TUNGSTEN CARBIDES .1. CATALYTIC AND TEMPERATURE-PROGRAMMED REACTIONS OF METHANOL

Abstract

When methanol reacts over tungsten carbide in a steady-state catalytic mode, methyl formate is formed with a selectivity higher than 90%. On the other hand, temperature-programmed decomposition of methanol preadsorbed on the same surface produces mostly carbon monoxide. The difference in selectivity in both modes of reaction is discussed. By contrast, platinum catalyzes the transformation of methanol to dimethyl ether with high selectivity.