Reactions of coals with carbon monoxide/deuterium oxide in the presence of alkaline catalysts. Establishment of mineral matter in the coal as the origin of kinetic isotope effects☆

Abstract Replacement of water by deuterium oxide in reactions of a range of coals with carbon monoxide in the presence of alkaline catalysts has been shown to lead to significant changes in yields, in agreement with previous work. However, these kinetic isotope effects disappear when acid-washed coals are used in the reactions, suggesting that they are probably caused by the presence of inorganic matter in the coal.