Probe molecule studies of CO hydrogenation over Ru/SiO sub 2

The effects of the addition of small amounts of CH{sub 3}NO{sub 2} to the reactants during CO hydrogenation were investigated under various reaction conditions. The major changes in the product distribution of CO hydrogenation on Ru/SiO{sub 2} caused by CH{sub 3}NO{sub 2} addition to the reactants included substantial reduction of CH{sub 4} production, increased production of hydrocarbons in the C3 to C6 carbon fractions, and enhanced selectivity toward linear olefinic products. A substantial incorporation of carbon originating from the added Ch{sub 3}NO{sub 2} into these hydrocarbon products was observed. Changes in the product distribution took place without significant disturbance of the main reaction pathways leading to hydrocarbon formation, offering great potential for the use of CH{sub 3}NO{sub 2} as a probe molecule in the study of the mechanism of CO hydrogenation.