Ethyl alcohol, a product of high pressure syntheses

In opening the “discussion on catalytic reactions at high pressures,” one of us (G. T. M.) referred to experiments made in the Chemical Research Laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research which had led to the isolation of notable quantities of ethyl alcohol among the condensation products from carbon monoxide and hydrogen interacting at high temperatures and pressures in presence of catalysts. These experiments were first described in March, 1928, and since that date statements have appeared in the scientific press to the effect that ethyl alcohol is a possible exception to the whole sequence of higher alcohols which can be produced by such interactions. Moreover during the above-mentioned discussion Mr. M. P. Appleby, speaking on behalf of the Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., Billingham, said “that in our experience we have never succeeded in obtaining, with any catalyst whatsoever, more than a mere trace of ethyl alcohol.” To the latter statement we take no exception whatever. It is a record of personal experience. But we felt that it was desirable to substantiate our earlier experiments by such corroborative evidence as would leave no doubt that ethyl alcohol is a product of high pressure synthesis.