Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: Deuterium labeled ethanol tracer studies on iron catalysts

The addition of D₃- and D₅-ethanol during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis with a promoted iron catalyst gives results that are consistent with ethanol initiating chain growth. However, there is considerable H/D exchange in the alcohol prior to initiating chain growth so that the D/molecule ratios in the alkane and alkene products are in the range 1.3-1.5. The nearly constant D/molecule ratio in the alkane and alkene products in the C₅-C₁₄ carbon number range is consistent with ethanol initiating chain growth.