Mechanism of ethanol formation: The role of methanol

Under the experimental conditions used, ca 90% of the ethanol was formed from CO + hydrogen; at most 10% was formed via the added methanol. The /sup 13/C distribution in ethanol shows that the carbon atom from the methanol is incorporated as the CH/sub 3/ portion and that the inserted CO is incorporated in the CH/sub 2/OH portion. The results are consistent with accepted reaction mechanisms in homogeneous systems. 2 figures, 1 table.